led for 2f, chased leaders until lost place halfway, pulled up over 6f out
with leader, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on no impression
held up, headway over 5f out, tracked leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, soon clear
held up in touch, headway halfway to chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
Danzatrice still looks at the right end of the handicap, and so gets the vote over Mister Arjay, Brief Statement, Thewhirlingdervish and Riodan. Chris Thornton has placed Danzatrice to win three of her last four starts, twice at Musselburgh and here at Ayr in August. That success came over 15 furlongs, but the trainer is adamant that she needs even further, so today's trip should be just up her street, and she can make the most of the weight that she receives from her main rivals. One of those is Mister Arjay who has been in great form since switching to the Flat, including when scoring at Pontefract in August. He should definitely be noted when going back over hurdles as he will then line up fitter than most, but in the meantime can at the very least hold Thewhirlingdervish on the same terms as when they met at Catterick, where Incursion came out best of all. He is fully 10lb worse off now with Mister Arjay who is a banker for the frame. Brief Statement responded to a first-time visor when successful over 12 furlongs at Goodwood three weeks ago, but has to prove that he stays this far and is best watched perhaps, while bumper winner Riodan has gone backwards on the Flat since scoring at Hamilton in June, and has to give weight to the selection. While respecting the claims of Mister Arjay, we return to Danzatrice as the answer.
Incursion 5-2fav (9-7) In touch, steady headway 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Mister Arjay (9-9) by 5l, 11 ran.
Riodan (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Som Tala (8-8) at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Haatmey 16-1 (10-0) Always in rear, ridden over 3f out, last of 7, 29l behind Alambic (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Thewhirlingdervish (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Held up, good headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Incursion (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Brief Statement (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) won at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Lunar River (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
To Tiger (GER) 4th of 6, 11l behind Lautaro at Dusseldorf 1m 4f hcp hvy in May '05.
Danzatrice 5-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug beating Alisdanza (8-5) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Crackleando 66-1 (9-5) In touch when pulled up in race won by Spring Pursuit (8-9) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct, 14 ran.
Lennel 12-1 (8-6) Held up, outpaced halfway and soon beaten, 6th of 7, 23l behind Onyergo (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Mister Arjay (USA) 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Incursion (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
