in touch, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right and ran on inside final furlong
dwelt in rear, ridden half way, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, ridden half way, headway under pressure from over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear
raced wide of main group, in touch, ridden to join winner entering final 2f, driven inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader until ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear
always in rear
Not that many boast solid credentials in this line-up but BATTLE ROYAL could turn out to be the best of them on the day whilst we'll also be keeping an eye on Big Boom and Iron Duke. The last named ran one of the better races of his career when making good late headway at Killarney on his latest start and could build on that whilst Norcroft and Registrar are both capable in this grade and come into the race on the back of a decent run. Balata and Indian Tonic have a bit to prove whilst Monashee Rock and Party In The Park are capable of better than they were able to show last time. Big Boom was in good form when last seen but has something to prove over this trip and has never tackled ground as fast as the forecast conditions so we prefer to look elsewhere. Brian Smart hasn't had a great campaign by his standards but the horses are running well at present and there may be more to come from this colt after just four starts. He got a bit worked up ahead of his handicap bow at Pontefract and had no more to give in the closing stages. Hopefully that won't be the case this time around and he's dropped back in trip which may help Battle Royal last home.
Balata 14-1 (9-5) Towards rear and pushed along, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pha Mai Blue (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Indian Tonic (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) In touch, lost place 2f out, 13th of 16, 18l behind Splendorinthegrass (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) sft in Jul.
Monashee Rock (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside over 2f out, driven over 1f out, weakened final 1f, 6th of 14, 6l behind Ailsa Craig (9-0) at Bath 1m fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Richo 7-4 (8-9) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 10, 5l behind Darcey (8-7) at Newcastle 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf in Aug.
Hidden Door (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) In touch, not much room over 3f out, soon switched left, effort to chase leader 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Surprise Pension (7-11) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Iron Out (USA) 6-1 (8-10) Behind, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 7, 5l behind Audemar (9-4) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Battle Royal (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed just inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Flying Silks (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Registrar 10-1 (8-8) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders, chased leader final 1f, ran on under pressure, led near finish, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug beating Mudhish (9-7) by nk, 9 ran.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 8-1 (8-13) With leaders, ridden and every chance halfway, still well there 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 6l behind Realt Na Mara (9-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug.
Party In The Park 5-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon led, headed halfway, soon under pressure and gradually weakened, 11th of 13, 16l behind Nufoudh (8-13) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Norcroft 20-1 (8-12) Raced stands side, always prominent, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Goodbye Cash (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Chinese Profit 20-1 (9-4) Chased winner until over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 10l behind Denton (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Iron Duke 20-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden into 7th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 13, 5l behind Ufallya (8-7) at Killarney 1m 3yo hcp 47-65 in Aug.
Big Boom Evensfav (9-5) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Capone (9-11) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
