started slowly, always behind
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out
always behind
behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway when not clear run briefly 2f out, ridden to chase winner and hung left over 1f out, no impression final furlong
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, switched left over 2f out, soon led, ridden clear over 1f out, eased towards finish
Marias Magic, Sporting Gesture, Idealistic and Barking Mad look to the leading players in the opener and the vote is given to Barking Mad. The selection is on good terms with himself at present and he put up a solid effort when finishing second behind Cruise Director at York last time. That was on a soft surface and with faster ground in his favour he should go close, especially as Kevin Ryan's string are in fine form at present. Marias Magic won well last time when beating Sporting Gesture but she had the race run to suit that day and she will have to improve to score again today. Sporting Gesture is better giving weight to inferior rivals than he is receiving weight off classier horses and as that is the scenario today we think he is probably worth taking on. Idealistic is a nice filly and she is relatively unexposed but this is her first run since August and she may just need the run today. Oldenway is another from a yard in good form so is worth a look in the market, but for the winner we will return to Barking Mad.
Sahem (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden and no impression from 4f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Zeitgeist (7-13) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp (C1) sft in Sept.
Idealistic (IRE) 8-13fav (8-9) Set steady pace, made all, shaken up 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Bath 1m 4f 3yo mdn (D) gf in Aug beating Turn 'n Burn (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Barking Mad (USA) 25-1 (8-0) Led after 1f, soon clear, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Cruise Director (8-5) at York 1m 4f hcp (3) sft.
Marias Magic 3-1 (8-13) Made all, hard pressed final furlong, kept on, won at Carlisle 1m 4f hcp (4) frm beating Sporting Gesture (8-6) by a nk, 6 ran.
Harcourt (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Led, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Boppys Princess (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf.
Sound of Fleet (USA) 28-1 (8-11) Held up, weakened quickly 4f out, tailed off, 15th of 17, 47l behind Regal Setting (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (D2) gs in Sept.
Mexican Pete 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Night Sight (8-2) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (D2) gf in Sept.
Ganymede 12-1 (8-9) Led until headed over 7f out, tracked leader afterwards until weakened 1f out, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Belle Rouge (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (D2) gd in Sept.
Oldenway 20-1 (9-1) Steadied at start, held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, never a factor, 10th of 18, 6l behind Another Bottle (9-13) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (4) gf.
Doctored 33-1 (8-13) Held up, weakened over 4f out, eased, 10th of 11, 36l behind Quarrymount (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo hcp (D2) gd in Oct.
Sporting Gesture 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Marias Magic (8-13) at Carlisle 1m 4f hcp (4) frm.
Tight Squeeze 7-2 (8-10) Held up last, headway 4f out, ridden and effort 3f out, ran on from 2f out, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Batik (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gf.
