with leaders, led after 1f, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well
led for 1f, ridden over 1f out, kept on
held up, headway well over 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out
chased leaders, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish
prominent, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong
towards rear, ridden well over 1f out, never dangerous
towards rear, soon pushed along, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, kept on over 1f out
always towards rear
slowly into stride, towards rear, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along before halfway, one pace final furlong
It remains to be seen whether Half A Crown can cope with a rise of nigh on a stone so CAPTAIN ROYALE may rate a better alternative with Blue Cross Boy worthy of serious consideration. The decision to swop blinkers for a visor worked wonders for Half A Crown as he pulled clear to record a clearcut success at Newcastle but the handicapper's draconian reaction and faster ground raises doubts about his ability to follow up. Quick ground may not see Lake Chini at his best whilst Lost In Paris has yet to taste success unlike Darcy's Pride who may just be losing out to the handicapper at present. Captain Royale has a penalty to contend with but he was rated 84 just two years ago so remains well treated if he can build on that. There has to be some doubt about that but he's clearly in good heart at present and is given the vote. Blue Cross Boy hasn't won since scoring on his second start for previous connections but his mark has tumbled and he comes into the race on the back of three decent efforts. He has a talented pilot on board and makes plenty of appeal but the winning form of Captain Royale holds sway.
Lost In Paris (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Led, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Hawkeyethenoo (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Darcy's Pride (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Triple Dream (9-5) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Half A Crown (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 5f mdn stks (5) gs in Sep beating Town And Gown (8-8) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lake Chini (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Slowly away, went right start, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind The Bear (9-4) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Aug.
Captain Royale (IRE) 11-2 (8-1) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep beating Sunley Sovereign (8-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Blazing Heights 10-1 (8-5) Always behind, 9th of 10, 7l behind Distant Sun (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
San Diego Prince 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, switched right inside final furlong, kept on same pace under pressure, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Wicked Wilma (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Blue Cross Boy (USA) 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Fast Lightning (9-0) at Down Royal 7f hcp 47-65 in Sep.
Hosanna 33-1 (8-3) Mid-division, effort over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 6l behind Wicked Wilma (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Tarus (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Chased leaders over 3f, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 10l behind Half A Crown (9-4) at Newcastle 5f mdn stks (5) gs in Sep.
Fern House (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, behind, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 6l behind Distant Sun (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Frisky Queen (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) Raced wide, keen, held up, headway and every chance over 1f out, driven to lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Scrapper Smith (9-4) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.
Miacarla 33-1 (7-13) Chased winner until over 1f out, ridden, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind The Bear (9-4) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Aug.
Star Addition 33-1 (9-3) Awkwardly away, missed break and detached in rear, never a factor, last of 8, 9l behind Nabra (8-8) at Ripon 5f mdn stks (5) gf in Aug.
Sleepy Valley (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, tracked leaders, weakened halfway, 7th of 8, 13l behind Hawkeyethenoo (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
