raced stands side, behind, never dangerous
slowly into stride, behind stands side, never on terms
led for 2f far side group, soon behind
mid-division stands side group, ridden halfway, stayed on strongly towards finish
towards rear stands side group, effort halfway, no impression
in touch stands side group, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear stands side group, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders far side group, no impression stands side group from well over 1f out
chased leaders stands side group, weakened and hung left over 1f out
close up far side group until behind from over 1f out
towards rear stands side group, headway over 2f out, no impression
in touch stands side group, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held near finish
led stands side group, headed over 2f out, regained lead over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, all out
held up in rear far side group, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leader far side group, ridden over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, led stand side group over 2f out until headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear stand side group, effort halfway, one pace final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, kept on towards finish
A really open race and the most tentative of votes goes to Joyeux ahead of Princess Ellis, Hotham and Charles Parnell. The selection finished behind Hotham last time out but has a 2lb pull in the weights today and now back on softer ground, he is fancied to reverse the placings from what could prove to be a good low draw. Princess Ellis warrants respect but a double penalty makes life much tougher, so of more interest could be Hereford Boy. He was impressive when winning at Goodwood and may have more to come on soft ground. Calabaza drops in trip but considering the way she finished last time out that doesn't look ideal, whilst Charles Parnell is rising up the weights but having beaten Hotham last time out at Ayr he must be on anyone's shortlist. Amongst the various other dangers, Colorus could go well for local trainer Mick Easterby and the betting will help guide, however Joyeux is the one we return to as the selection.
Tartatartufata 50-1 (8-11) Always in rear, 13th of 14, 13l behind Topflightcoolracer (8-10) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Highland Warrior 28-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, wide straight, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 9l behind Topflightcoolracer (8-10) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Argentine (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Went left start, chased leaders, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Joyeaux (8-0) at Hamilton 5f hcap (4) gd in Sept.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) In touch stands side, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ayr 5f hcap (5) gs in Sept beating Hotham (8-13) by 3/4l, 19 ran.
Digital 13-2 (9-3) Soon outpaced and behind, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Hereford Boy (8-11) at Goodwood 5f app hcp (5) sft.
Paris Bell 20-1 (8-1) Started slowly, always rear, 9th of 10, 7l behind Damika (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Sept.
Sea Salt 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, no extra from 1f out, 8th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sunrise Safari (9-11) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Joyeaux 9-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on well, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Hotham (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Colorus (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and every chance final furlong, kept on, 5th of 14, 2l behind Kings College Boy (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Kerry's Dream 33-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ocean Blaze (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Methaaly (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 2l behind Ocean Blaze (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Valley of The Moon (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, faded entering final furlong, 10th of 16, 4l behind Hotham (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Princess Ellis 11-10fav (9-5) Close up, led well over 1f out, driven clear, won at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (6) gd beating By The Edge (8-6) by 4l, 10 ran.
Hereford Boy 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Goodwood 5f app hcp (5) sft beating Caustic Wit (8-8) by 1l, 9 ran.
Coseadrom (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 5l behind Dancing Mystery (8-6) at Warwick 5f hcap (5) gf in Sept.
Funfair Wane 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders far side, led group entering final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind No Time (8-8) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Rothesay Dancer 16-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Double Carpet (8-5) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Calabaza 7-1 (8-8) In touch, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, just held on, won at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Brandywell Boy (9-2) by a nk, 14 ran.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ocean Blaze (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Hotham 7-2fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept beating Joyeaux (8-8) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
