tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden 3f out, no impression
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on
held up, headway to chase leading pair 2f out, kept on
Nonrunner
Ogre and Flying Valentino both come here in top form and they're hard to split; after a spin of the coin we desert them completely and come down on the side of Bikini. Henry Candy's filly was second recently at Chepstow when she only just failed to last home from the front. Whilst evidently no stable star, she may enjoy the run of the race today and this track may suit her style. Mekong Melody was a fair third recently at Windsor; she is consistent and it is unlikely that she will be far away today with the quick ground in her favour. Ogre has been mopping up in claimers and the like recently and this tougher race demands more improvement, whilst Flying Valentino won decisively last time at Pontefract but has been handed a 12lb rise in the weights for that success; harsh. Maybe I Will has won over this course and distance but two recent runs suggest the handicapper is on top, so whilst Cape Velvet could hit the frame, it is Bikini who grabs our attention.
Flying Valentino 7-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, clear, comfortably, won at Pontefract 1m fll hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Striving (8-11) by 8l, 12 ran.
Mekong Melody (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Chased leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Run For Ede's (9-0) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Cape Velvet (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, keen, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 2l behind Shanzu (8-11) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Bikini 2-1 (9-7) Led until headed close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Zulu Princess (8-9) at Chepstow 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Jul.
Shindy (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led briefly 1f out, every chance when bumped and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Divine Power (9-7) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Jul.
Albaraari 3-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on near finish, 3rd of 7, nk behind Patavium Prince (8-12) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) frm in Jul.
Ogre (USA) Evensfav (8-8) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 1m clm (6) gf in Jul beating Wizby (8-10) by a hd, 15 ran.
Maybe I Will (IRE) 18-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway when not clear run, switched right 1f out, not recover, 11th of 16, 13l behind Yamal (9-10) at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
