raced centre in touch, outpaced over 2f out, kept on toward finish
made all under stand side rail, pushed out
raced centre, in touch in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner towards finish
raced centre, tracked leader, led centre group and chased winner over 1f out, lost 2nd near finish
raced centre, tracked leader, weakened 2f out
led centre group until over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
raced centre, keen tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
reared start dwelt, raced centre close up, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Canadian Danehill would have made short work of these in his prime but Robert Cowell's veteran is still struggling to take advantage of a tumbling mark and is on a long losing run. Simple Rhythm and Star Twilight are also C&D winners but have a poor strike rate, while Miakora probably needs to improve a little on what she's shown so far. Mr Skipiton is probably better over further but Bateleur was doing his best work at the finish when second at Warwick last time and isn't badly handicapped. It's arguable whether he would have finished ahead of THE STRIG in that race had the latter had a clear run however and, on the same terms, it's Stuart Williams' four-year-old that gets the nod now.
Star Twilight 9-2 (9-5) In touch, ridden 2f out, effort entering final furlong, no impression towards finish, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Riflessione (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
The Strig 9-2fav (9-1) Disputed lead, ridden halfway, every chance inside final furlong, no extra and hampered near finish, 6th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Straboe (8-13) at Warwick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Bateleur 20-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Straboe (8-13) at Warwick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Mr Skipiton (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Chased winner, closed over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Too Many Questions (9-5) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sep.
Oosisit 50-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 6, 9l behind Question Times (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Riflessione (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Miakora 10-1 (8-12) In touch, effort entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sleep Dance (8-12) at Kempton 5f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Sep.
Pavement Games 20-1 (8-4) Reared start slowly away, behind and outpaced, ridden and kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 4th of 7, 5l behind Captain Scooby (10-7) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sep.
Bombay Mist 33-1 (8-7) Soon outpaced, last of 9, 26l behind No Mean Trick (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs in Aug.
Simple Rhythm 6-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway 1f out, never able to challenge, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Too Many Questions (9-5) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sep.
Slatey Hen (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Led, ridden 2f out, headed just over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Porthgwidden Beach (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Main Opinion (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Pressed leader, ridden and lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 7l behind Full Shilling (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
