soon led at moderate gallop, headed over 11f out, chased winner after until 8f out, remained close up, slipped over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, no chance with winner
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon one pace
broke awkwardly, held up in last place, still in touch, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, led over 11f out, ridden 2f out, clear 1f out, eased towards finish
close up, chased winner 8f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Askar Tau is our selection with Naughty Thoughts and Sphere the dangers. The selection has proved a real moneyspinner for connections and won hard held at Sandown the other day. The handicapper's only form of defence is the 6lb penalty and it shouldn't be enough to stop him going in again. Naughty Thoughts was a beaten favourite over 1m4f at Newmarket. She can be forgiven that run as the race was staged in monsoon like conditions. It's not too often that Michael Jarvis has 7lb claimers on his charges so Irish Quest, who has proved a disappointment under professional handling, is given more than just a cursory glance in the market. Sphere ran well at Haydock to be second over 1m4f. The winner came out and won a fair prize at Pontefract. Dramatic Solo scored under a canny ride at Thirsk and has been put up 6lb. Peas N Beans is out of the handicap but Tom Keddy did land a gamble last week. Asker Tau gets the nod.
Irish Quest (IRE) 3-1fav (8-12) Held up in touch, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 22l behind Salute (8-10) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
Given A Choice (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, went 3rd entering final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Papradon (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Naughty Thoughts (IRE) Evensfav (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Granary Girl (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gf.
Askar Tau (FR) 5-4fav (8-12) Tracked leader to over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Riverscape (9-6) by 3l, 10 ran.
Sphere (IRE) 9-2fav (8-8) Held up in touch, went 2nd 2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon every chance, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Tcherina (9-6) at Haydock 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Peas 'n Beans (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 15l behind Chart Oak (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Dramatic Solo 9-4jt-fav (8-7) With leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Maha Dubai (8-8) by 4l, 6 ran.
