As with many of today's runners, softer ground might be a problem for AHDAF but he won so easily at Carlisle last week that he's still well treated despite the penalty. Surbett may not have been suited by the drop back to 5f at Chelmsford last time so shouldn't be written off just yet but Brighton winner Fast Enough failed to cope on his handicap debut at Leicester. Shakerattlenroll should find this easier than the nursery he contested at York, however, while Happy Call and Guanabara Bay have been knocking on the door. Missy Blue Eyes showed a willing attitude to score at Windsor and definitely won't mind recent rain so also goes on the short-list.
Surbett (IRE) 11-10fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort when hung badly left from well over 1f out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 4l behind Sign of The Kodiac (8-12) at Chelmsford City 5f (4) pol in Aug.
Ahdaf 3-1fav (9-6) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Carlisle 6f (5) gf in Sep beating Cuppatee (9-9) by 5l, 9 ran.
Happy Call 4-5fav (9-5) Awkwardly away, soon pushed along, tracked leaders, pushed along and tracked winner halfway, ridden to challenge from over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 9, shd behind Harry Speed (9-5) at Thirsk 6f mdn stks (4) gd in Aug.
Fast Enough (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Raced wide close up, effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind El Astronaute (9-0) at Leicester 5f (4) gd in Aug.
Missy Blue Eyes 12-1 (9-5) Always prominent, every chance from well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug beating Papa Luigi (9-5) by nk, 14 ran.
Shakerattlenroll (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly closing stages, never nearer, 6th of 18, 7 1/2l behind Mayfair Lady (9-2) at York 6f (2) gs in Aug.
Guanabara Bay (IRE) 6-5fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Southdown Lad (9-5) at Ffos Las 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Sir Theodore (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Led stands side group, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f (5) hvy in Sep beating Refulgence (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Musical Taste 9-4fav (8-12) In touch, in rear, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Unilit (9-7) at Leicester 6f fll (4) sft in Aug.
Atrayu (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Headway to track leader after 1f, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 6 1/4l behind Bing Bang Bong (9-5) at Newmarket 6f mdn stks (4) sft in Jul.
In My Place 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Force (9-0) at Haydock 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Sep.
