chased leaders on outer, edged right 3f out, hung badly right 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold early, tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 1f out, driven final furlong, stayed on well
held up in last pair, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched sharply right to far rail inside final furlong, stayed on, nearest at finish
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
reluctant to load stalls, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
in touch, hanging badly right from over 2f out, no chance when virtually pulled up final furlong
held up behind leaders, pushed along 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd well inside final furlong, closed on winner near finish
held up in last pair, hampered on rail over 2f out, switched right and staying on when hampered on rail again inside final 1f, not able to recover
An interesting nursery where the suggestion is COOL VALENTINE to defy a 7lb rise and follow up a recent Sandown win, now stepped up in trip, while Contract Caterer and Agony And Ecstasy are others with claims. The last-named is the mount of Keiren Fallon here, and Ralph Beckett's charge was always nicely in control when holding all comers to score over this trip at Lingfield on soft ground last time. These quicker conditions will not be ideal and so with that plus a first try in a handicap both of concern we will field against her. Contract Caterer landed a Catterick 7f maiden in July before running well in defeat here over the same trip to be fourth of 17, and that is not to be dismissed lightly. Aattash has shown slightly better form since being stepped up to a mile and acts on fast ground, though his form does not appear strong enough for him to break his maiden today. Jairzinho does not have much to find with Contract Caterer on their running here in July, but preference is for Cool Valentine. Andrew Balding does well at this track and continues to have his string in good shape. The selection is bred for this to be around his optimum trip and he ran on strongly up the Sandown hill last time and should take some pegging back here.
Avon River 8-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 9th of 10, 14l behind Cool Valentine (8-9) at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Contract Caterer (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, chased new leader from 2f out, driven and one pace final 100 yards, 4th of 17, 1 1/4l behind Black Snowflake (9-2) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Cool Valentine 16-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway on inside from well over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, edged left and won going away, won at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug beating Astonishment (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Cultured Pride (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Tracked leader until 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Clarietta (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Aattash (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Soon led, challenged for lead, strong pace, ridden, headed inside final 2f, no extra final 1f, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Cherry Bee (8-10) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
High Holborn (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway and hung right from 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 6l behind Dromore (8-8) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Flying Destination 12-1 (9-3) In rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never in contention, 7th of 11, 9l behind Private Story (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Calatrava Cape (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 5l behind Creese (9-0) at Folkestone 7f 2yo stks (5) gf in Aug.
Jairzihno 3-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, pushed along 4f out, ridden on outside over 2f out, one pace, no impression on leaders over 1f out, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Cherry Bee (8-10) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Agony And Ecstasy 14-1 (8-12) Close up, led 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Aug beating Dr Finley (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
