held up in rear, last straight, switched out approaching 2f out, sustained run to lead inside final furlong, soon clear
went left start, soon in clear lead, until over 2f out, weakened and headed over 1f out
soon well off the pace, no chance final 2f
soon outpaced in rear
slowly away, soon under pressure and well off the pace, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd near finish
chased clear leader to over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
soon well off the pace, no real headway final 2f
soon well off the pace, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
close up on inner, chased leading pair halfway, chased leader approaching final furlong and winner inside final furlong, no impression
Tous Les Deux, Game Lady and Music Box Express all come under the microscope in this handicap and the nomination is given to TOUS LES DEUX. The selection was joint-favourite when he disappointed at Wolverhampton last time, but he had previously won well at the same track. He has a good draw and George Baker rides this track very well so he makes plenty of appeal. Game Lady is in good form and she is still very well-handicapped on some of her old form. However, the draw could have kinder and she will need the cards to fall kindly for her if she is to score from stall 2. Music Box Express could perhaps have found the race coming too quickly for him when he finished fourth behind Avoca Dancer at Brighton last time. He has a decent draw for a horse that likes to make the running and if he is allowed an easy lead then he could be hard to peg back. Bold Diva has got course and distance winning form and the yard are shrewd so she is worth a look in the market.
Tous Les Deux 7-2jt-fav (9-3) Keen, always towards rear, 8th of 13, 5l behind Strike Force (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Music Box Express 4-1jt-fav (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon edged left, kept chasing leaders, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Avoca Dancer (9-0) at Brighton 6f sll (6) gd in Sept.
Bold Diva 16-1 (7-9) Always behind, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 6, 7l behind Oriental Girl (8-10) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Copperbottomed (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Always in rear, last of 13, 23l behind Varadouro (9-12) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Jul.
Acquifer 12-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 7l behind Lawton (9-2) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Hamaasy 28-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon one pace, 11th of 13, 5l behind Royal Challenge (9-5) at W'hampton 6f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Street Diva (USA) 16-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 8l behind Prescription (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo app hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Avening 33-1 (8-3) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, no headway 2f out, soon outpaced, 8th of 15, 6l behind Peter Island (9-1) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Game Lady 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Yarmouth 6f hcap (6) gd in Sept beating Overstayed (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Boldinor 14-1 (9-6) Chased clear leading trio, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Al Gillani (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Morse (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Close up, went moderate 3rd 2f out, no impression on front pair final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 10, 4l behind Rondeau (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
The Name Is Frank 25-1 (8-6) Pressed leaders, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 11, 1l behind Meridian Line (8-1) at Sandown 5f clm (5) gd in Sept.
