led 1f, chased leader after, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 4f out, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, driven over 2f out, headway under strong pressure approaching final furlong, kept on
close up, ridden over 3f out, chased leader briefly 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, went 4th 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead post
reminders soon after start, led after 1f, set steady pace, quickened pace 4f out, ridden when carried head high over 1f out, headed post
The richest race on the card looks a tight affair; most of these have won over the trip including our selection Darksideofthemoon, who's preferred to Irish Quest and Casual Affair. The selection was a big priced winner last time out at Lingfield over this trip, albeit at a lower grade, and subsequently carries top weight. This is his first outing on the all weather; he's looked the progressive type though and is the only interest on the card for Nick Gifford and Paul Doe. Irish Quest was a beaten favourite last time out at Yarmouth, and you have to look back nearly a year to find his two career wins. He's not impressed in previous runs on the all-weather at Kempton, but may find this track more to his liking. Casual Affair defied top weight to win a similar contest at Catterick earlier in the month; he's usually involved at the finish and can't be ruled out here. But for the pick, we'll side with Darksideofthemoon.
Darksideofthemoon (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) With leader, led narrowly well over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, all out and held on well, won at Lingfield 1m 6f mdn stk (5) gd beating Fortune City (9-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Clear Reef 9-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 10l behind Lady Dedlock (8-13) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Generous Jem 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and not clear run over 2f out, edged left under pressure, 7th of 15, 6l behind King Supreme (8-6) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Casual Affair 5-2fav (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden 4f out, led 1f out, kept on well, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Altitude (9-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
Irish Quest (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Soon led, headed 11f out, chased winnerto 8f out, slipped over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Askar Tau (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Alfie Noakes 11-4fav (9-7) Chased leader, led narrowly over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 13l behind Monfils Monfils (9-7) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Callisto Moon 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leader, led 9f out, pressed from over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, rallied under pressure, always just held towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Rajeh (9-9) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
City Stable (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied final furlong, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Another Moment (9-10) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gs.
Natural Action 7-2jt-fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Swords (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
