soon crossed over from wide draw to lead, kept away from rails in straight, headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway on rails over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
close up, headway to lead approaching 2f out, in command over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong
soon crossed over to chase leader, ridden over 3f out, soon hanging right and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway on inside 3f out, driven to take 3rd inside final furlong, no real impression
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
raced wide and mid-division, ridden and struggling on outside over 3f out
mid-division, ridden and struggling 3f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always behind
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 3f out, driven, hung right and weakened over 1f out
soon chasing leaders, pushed along 3f out, hung right and beaten over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression
A very competitive handicap to solve here and BORDER OWL is the tentative selection to win it with Den's Gift and Shanzu put up as the main dangers. Third last time out on the all-weather at Kempton in what was a better contest to this, Border Owl looked to be launching what looked a race winning challenge before drifting left in the straight. The ground is the slight worry as his best form does look to be on quick ground but he is not harshly treated and should give supporters a good run for their money. Den's Gift returned to form with a good second last time at Newmarket. He has found one too good on three of his last four starts and a win in the near future looks a formality as the handicapper has not over reacted to those solid efforts. Shanzu beat the ultra frustrating Totem Flower by a head last time and that does not look strong form but she is relatively lightly raced and there could be more improvement to come from the filly. The Fifth Member ran a huge race at the summer festival and should be thereabouts again while Capucci has not gone forward from his Newbury win in June. Border Owl is given the nod to win it.
Den's Gift (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Oat Cuisine (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcap (3) gf in Sept.
Mountain Pride (IRE) 11-2 (8-6) Pressed leader, every chance 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Siberian Tiger (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcap (2) sft in Sept.
The Fifth Member (IRE) 6-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 16, 6l behind Premio Loco (9-10) at Kempton 1m hcap (2) pol in Sept.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Appeared to hang right throughout, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Rum Jungle (9-4) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sept.
Capucci 7-2jt-fav (9-3) Pulled hard, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 10l behind Opus Maximus (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m hcap (4) gd in Sept.
Border Owl (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) In touch, carried left 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Arabian Spirit (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol.
Pippbrook Gold 11-4 (9-3) In touch, effort and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on under pressure to lead close home, won at Bath 1m 3yo mdn aut (6) gd in Jun beating Sunny Peace (8-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Shanzu 22-1 (9-1) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden, still every chance, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, won at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sept beating Totem Flower (8-13) by a nk, 14 ran.
Tina's Best (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 6l behind Elysee Palace (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Benfleet Boy 14-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 13l behind Just Bond (9-8) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Titan Triumph 10-1 (8-9) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 11l behind Noble Citizen (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol.
St Petersburg 14-1 (9-1) Always rear, 10th of 13, 7l behind Gazboolou (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Thunder Gorge (USA) 33-1 (8-6) Held up in touch, effort over 2f out, went 3rd final furlong, never any chance with impressive winner, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Mawatheeq (9-4) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Marvo 12-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 8l behind Afram Blue (8-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f clm (5) gd.
