covered up behind leaders and always going well, switched out to chase leader well over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
held up last, pushed along 4f out, effort 2f out, no impression
led after 2f, headed 2f out, soon one pace and weakened over 1f out
led for 2f, chased leader to 5f out, hung left and weakened 2f out
prominent, went 2nd 5f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, eased when held
Kirkham Abbey looks capable of taking this, with Kernel Dowery and Jackie Kiely having chances of making the frame. The selection won over course and distance last time out, when Seb Sanders drove him to victory. Carrying a 5lb penalty for that win will make things a bit more difficult, but he wasn't stopping that day and although the ground is a little slower today, he has performed on the fibresand which is slower still, so he should be okay on this surface. The booking of Kieren Fallon for the first time increases our confidence, and we will side with him. Kernel Dowery is another who goes well here and took a Class F classified contest over course and distance in June. Now 5lb higher, he has struggled a little since then and he looks to be in the grip of the handicapper, though he may be up to claiming a place. Of the remainder, Frankie Dettori partners Jackie Kiely, and the pair have already enjoyed success this season, when landing a Class F handicap here and then following up at Newmarket a few days later. Dettori rides him for the first time in five starts since that latter success, and we can take that as a hint that the gelding can put in a better effort this time, though he may also just be anchored from this mark. Therefore Kirkham Abbey looks to one for us here.
