prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, edged left and one pace final furlong
held up, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon beaten
outpaced in rear, never a factor
chased winner until lost 2nd inside final furlong
in touch but soon ridden along, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong without being a danger
slowly into stride and behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
made all, kept on well inside final furlong
Withdrawn
This looks to be quite a competitive maiden handicap and we will give the vote to Mick Channon's filly Gasping, with Crystal Mystic and Frenchmans Lodge put forward as the main dangers. The selection has been running well of late without getting her head in front, but she showed that this trip suits last time at Wolverhampton when a close second behind Mollzam and she looks the one to be with here. Crystal Mystic had shown very little before leaving all know form behind when a good second over this course and distance last time behind Dancing Deano. If he could run up to that level again here then he would not be far away at the finish but as that is far from guaranteed we are happy to take him on. Frenchmans Lodge is quite exposed compared to most of these and while he looks to have place prospects he is probably better over the minimum trip. Speed of Sound is no world beater but she has shown a modicum of ability and she is from a yard that merits respect, but we will stick with Gasping who may get her reward tonight for a string of consistent efforts.
Bluebok 14-1 (9-7) Went right start, in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, hung left and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Fisberry (8-13) at Haydock 6f mdn stk (5) gd.
Mostanad 14-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 19l behind Regal Dream (8-11) at Brighton 6f 3yo stk 0-70 (5) frm in May.
Speed of Sound 12-1 (9-4) Went right start, soon in rear, stumbled after 1f, some moderate headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 5l behind Folga (9-4) at Bath 5f 3yo fll hcp (5) gf in May.
Hidden Star 13-2 (9-3) Raced centre, close up 4f, 12th of 20, 6l behind Canadian Danehill (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Frenchmans Lodge 20-1 (9-3) Went left to start, behind, edged right and no impression over 1f out, 11th of 14, 9l behind American Cousin (9-3) at Beverley 5f stk (7) gf in May.
Crystal Mystic (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Always prominent, chased winner from 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, weakened close home, 2nd of 19, 3/4l behind Dancing Deano (8-8) at Chepstow 6f 3yo hcp (6) gs in May.
African Storm (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, tracked leader 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 12, 9l behind Cesar Manrique (9-0) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct.
Gasping (USA) 2-1fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mollzam (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Mar.
