held up in 4th, mistake 2nd, went 3rd 8th until after next, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, behind, not fluent 6th, some progress to go 6th 3 out, no further headway
not always fluent, led, ridden after 9th, headed after 2 out, no extra towards finish
held up, mistake last, never dangerous
held up, reminders after 7th, no chance from 9th, tailed off
held up, mistake 4th, progress to go 3rd after 3 out, led after 2 out, saddled slipped after last, edged right, driven out
always behind, jumped slowly 3rd, losing touch from 8th, tailed off
always prominent, went 2nd 7th, ridden, every chance 2 out, stayed on flat
held up, never near leaders
tracked leader until not fluent 7th, weakened next, tailed off
held up, not fluent 8th, went 3rd after 9th, one pace from 2 out, mistake last
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden, kept on flat
held up, struggling when not fluent 3 out, tailed off
Tony Martin seldom wastes his visits from Ireland, so we shall rely on Fakima to do the business at the expense of River Tigris, City Streets and Jackie Boy to name but a few. From a handicapping view, Fakima does not appear particularly well treated, having raced off a mark of 81 at Dromore last month, and who now lines up with a rating of 90. Add to that the fact that he has had 23 career outings without a win, and he hardly looks a solid betting opportunity. However, his trainer is a past-master at getting one ready to land a gamble on these shores, and the gelding, sent off as favourite last time, and noted making late headway, is taken to prevail despite the fast ground. River Tigris was lightly-raced this summer, but scored on soft ground at Bangor. She has risen up the weights since, and may struggle to dominate here, while City Streets in contrast is sliding down the handicap and gets a welcome step up in trip. Jackie Boy has a had a break since scoring over the course-and-distance in August, and is upped a grade as well, so instead we are going to take a chance that Fakima is primed and ready to open his account.
Delightful Cliche 7-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, ridden 11th, weakened 14th, 6th of 7, 33l behind Blaze Ahead (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Seymour Weld 7-1 (11-5) Behind, ridden 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 19l behind Snow's Ride (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
River Tigris (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Led to 3rd, raced in 2nd until 6th, went 2nd again 9th until before 2 out, weakening when not fluent and left 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Sea Wall (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Find The King (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led, soon clear, ridden after 7th, headed approaching 8th, weakened, 5th of 10, 10l behind Iron Maid (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
City Music (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leaders to 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Zaffie Parson (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
City Streets 12-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, closer order 7th, smooth headway 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Alpha Juliet (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Cleopatras Therapy (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 17, 16l behind Waldo's Dream (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Menelaus 12-1 (11-12) In touch, outpaced 6th, ridden and stayed on, 4th of 14, 27l behind Win A Rose (11-1) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Dizzy Future 16-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden 8th, one pace, 6th of 14, 34l behind Win A Rose (11-1) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Common Girl (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Not fluent, reminders after 1st, behind, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Bronson F'sure (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gf in Apr, 5 ran.
Jackie Boy (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-7) Held up, headway 8th, soon chasing leaders, led after 3 out, strongly challenged approaching last, all out, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug '06 beating Brasilia Prince (11-6) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Fakima (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Towards rear, 10th after 2 out, ridden and kept on, 4th of 20, 12l behind Ard San Aer (10-0) at Down Royal 2m 6f hacp hdl gd in Sept.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 50-1 (10-2) Chased leader until after 2nd, remained prominent, driven along from 4th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by El Bandindos (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept, 16 ran.
