behind, ridden, headway over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, jockey dropped whip inside final furlong, headed towards finish
always towards rear
towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
always behind
behind, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
prominent, one pace final furlong
always behind
prominent, one pace final 2f
in touch, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, one pace final 2f
held up, in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, one pace
in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear and pushed along, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
As open a contest as they come however conditions are ideal for last year's winner Rising Shadow and David Barron's charge gets the nod ahead of Fonthill Road, Dabbers Ridge and Zomerlust. A winner of this race last year, Rising Shadow loves to get his toe in and now back over six furlongs and slowly edging back down the weights, he is fancied to oblige. Viking Spirit is another runner dropping down a furlong in trip and if the first time visor works, he must be a major player on ground that is fine. There are a plethora of course and distance winners in the lineup, perhaps the most interesting being Fonthill Road. He has run two great races of late in big fields and with the ground no problem, he could be a major player if his low draw turns out to be beneficial. Stablemate Philharmonic proved that he's in good nick with a win at Beverley recently, whilst Tournedos also comes here having won recently. He represents Dandy Nicholls, a man who knows how to land a sprint handicap, although five furlongs is arguably the horses best trip. Tawaassol is proving expensive to follow at present and is hard to catch right so is passed over. Amongst the various other dangers in the race Dabbers Ridge catches the eye having scored on soft ground at Haydock, and whilst River Falcon could run well at a price, it is Rising Shadow who gets the nod.
Somnus 100-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 9l behind Red Clubs (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept.
Obe Brave 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch far side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 28, 40l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride and behind, never a factor, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Appalachian Trail (9-0) at Redcar 7f lst stk (1) gd.
Viking Spirit 33-1 (9-4) Never better than mid-division, 13th of 23, 5l behind Candidato Roy (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Tawaassol (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Always prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, not able to quicken, 4th of 13, 2l behind Judd Street (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, headway to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sept beating Commando Scott (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Chicken Soup 12-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, effort over 3f out, soon no impression, 5th of 6, 12l behind Charlie Cool (9-1) at Nottingham 1m stk (2) gd in Jun.
Hoh Hoh Hoh 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong but not able to challenge, 6th of 13, 2l behind Judd Street (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd.
Conquest (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, no impression when hampered inside final furlong, 11th of 13, 5l behind Judd Street (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd.
Fonthill Road (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up toward rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 9th of 23, 3 1/2l behind Candidato Roy (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Philharmonic 11-4fav (8-9) Held up behind leaders, ridden along 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 5f stk (3) gd in Sept beating Bond City (8-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
River Falcon 6-1 (9-6) Held up toward rear, pushed along halfway, some late headway but never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 5l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-6) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sept.
Zomerlust 20-1 (8-12) In touch far side, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong, 11th of 28, 3 1/2l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) In touch, led main group over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 23, 2 1/2l behind Candidato Roy (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Golden Dixie (USA) 20-1 (9-2) In touch far side group, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 20th of 21, 10l behind Fullandby (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Tournedos (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders on stand's rail, 6th halfway, improved into 2nd and challenged under 1f out, soon hampered, kept on well close home, just failed, 2nd of 19, shd behind.
Invincible Force (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Jumped left at start and in touch, ridden along over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no etxra, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Oldjoesaid (8-13) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sept.
King Orchisios (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Led far side group, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 21st of 28, 7l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Turnkey 11-1 (8-10) Soon outpaced and behind, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 6l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-6) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sept.
Commando Scott (IRE) 10-3fav (8-13) In touch, lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-6) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sept.