tracked leader, ridden 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch on outside, ridden 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
keen, tracked leaders until weakening when short of room inside final furlong
always prominent, short of room and switched right inside final furlong, ran on close home without reaching leaders
led, ridden over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, soon no extra
mid-division, short of room and switched right 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
raced mid-division until over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride and held up in rear, ridden along and headway on inside over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
held up in touch, ridden to lead briefly just inside final furlong, headed and no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakening when short of room inside final furlong
slowly into stride and always behind
keen, held up mid-division, ridden 1f out, soon one pace
Northside Lodge, Busaco and Desert Island Disc are among the more appealing runners and we shall stick with Northside Lodge. Walter Swinburn's runner has cost his supporters more than just a couple of pounds over the years but Richard Quinn is fully aware of all his quirks and hopefully should be able to keep him together today. Busaco is very typical of a John Dunlop performer. He appears to be better for a step up in trip although Eddie Ahern will be keen to ensure that he is given cover as early as possible. Desert Island Disc returns to middle distances after a spell over further. The mare is running well these days and her apprentice is good value for his claim. Our Teddy surely has a race in him but invariably gets going all too late. Rosecliff has not achieved the heights that other sons of Montjeu have but is appropriately respected this afternoon. It is worrying that there has been an absence but if the pace is genuine, he will be staying on at the death. A difficult race to get a punting perspective on but we shall stick with Northside Lodge.
Newnham (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) In touch, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 4l behind Sirce (8-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Northside Lodge (IRE) 9-2fav (8-9) Chased winner, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Villarrica (8-3) at Salisbury 1m 2f app hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Desert Island Disc 6-1 (9-4) Behind, headway halfway, chased leaders 3f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Beauchamp Trump (8-9) at Goodwood 2m hcp 45-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Velvet Waters 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon edged left, hard ridden when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, nk behind Bowled Out (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
War Owl (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 12l behind Cool Hunter (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Heathyards Pride 9-2 (9-6) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Bethanys Boy (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 45-70 (5) pol.
Busaco 7-1 (9-2) Keen, close-up, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Ti Adora (8-8) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Scottish Play (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In touch, soon lost position, headway from 4f out, hard ridden 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 15, 3l behind Mr Aitch (9-3) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) frm in Sept.
Rosecliff 15-2 (8-3) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, promising effort on outside 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 8l behind Magic Instinct (8-8) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jun.
