disputed lead early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, took narrow lead entering final furlong, headed final 100 yards, ran on
held up towards rear, headway going well inside final 3f, not clear run from over 1f out, until switched left entering final furlong, ran on
broke well enough, something soon amiss, soon pulled up
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, never near leaders
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, headed narrowly entering final furlong, regained lead final 100 yards, held on gamely
soon chasing leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon hung left, no impression over 1f out
soon settled into mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no impression
dropped out start, soon switched left, held up in rear, headway when switched right over 1f out, never near leaders
KEYS OF CYPRUS can take the scalps of Moody Tunes and Collateral Damage. David Nicholls' charge won on this card last term and was a winner under testing conditions at Ripon off a 1lb lower mark. If the ground stays on the slow side of good, he has to be given a fair chance on the book. Moody Tunes made hay from a much lower mark. The ground may probably be a bit lively come post time. Collateral Damage handled the good-to-firm going at Redcar well enough although a perusal at his form suggests himself to be better on soft. The handicapper has now had his opportunity to raise the stakes. Ninth House landed a gamble at Thirsk on soft going. A four time winner this term, he continues to advertise the abilities of his rookie handler. Casino Night has been consistent enough in the last few weeks. She seems capable of running up to her mark on most surfaces. Gala Casino Star is now 1lb higher than his last winning mark. That said, that York victory seems an awful long time ago all things considered. Magic Echo has become somewhat disappointing of late and it might be worth waiting until we see any shoots of recovery. A race as competitive as any on the card and Keys Of Cyprus has most ticks in the right boxes.
Gala Casino Star (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, 9th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Royal Destination (9-2) at York 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Aug.
Silver Rime (FR) 25-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Zomerlust (9-10) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Ocean Transit (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Keen hold, led after 1f, ridden and headed inside final 3f, weakened quickly over 1f out, 10th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Alsace Lorraine (9-13) at Goodwood 1m 1f fll hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Magic Echo 16-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 3l behind Zomerlust (9-10) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Moody Tunes 9-4fav (9-8) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 4th of 9, 12l behind Fremen (9-13) at Hamilton 1m clm stks (6) gs in Aug.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along and headway on outside over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Redcar 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Celtic Change (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Keys of Cyprus 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 7th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Glenridding (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Golden Penny 16-1 (9-3) In rear, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 15l behind Royal Destination (9-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Casino Night 3-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on, no impression final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Keisha Kayleigh (8-2) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 66-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Ninth House (USA) 7-2fav (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Tom Tower (8-11) by 2l, 13 ran.
Richo 25-1 (8-11) Held up, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Ela Gorrie Mou (8-12) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
