slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous
pulled hard tracking leaders, stayed on same pace final 2f
always prominent, led over 1f out, ran on strongly
led, headed over 2f out, soon under pressure, and one pace
slowly to stride, soon chasing leaders, weakened well over 1f out
pulled hard, in rear, never dangerous
with leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakend approaching final furlong
HISTORICAL GIANT is the token selection in the finale in preference to Pivka and Shakedown. There's plenty of deadwood on display here and it's hard to imagine any of these doing enough to keep the winter fires burning with dreams of what might be next year. Neither Cotswolds nor Scirocco Breeze would need to be out of the ordinary to make a winning debut here but both are by Green Desert and a good number of his progeny are far more effective under faster conditions which would have to be a cause for concern. We should let the market guide us in respect to their respective chances. Pivka and Shakedown have performed to a similar level in their three starts and the handicapper has the former rated one pound higher. It would be no surprise to see one or t'other win this race but they're clearly vulnerable as marks of 70 and 69 indicate. Therefore, we'll throw Historical Giant into the ring in the hope that he can leave the form of his reappearance behind. The Ballydoyle cast-off was quite well supported at Warwick but fluffed his lines; he was entitled to need the run though whilst Spencer and Vaughan teamed up successfully at Wolverhampton last week which is enough of a positive for us to select Historical Giant.
Alabaster Flatley (IRE) Spinning World colt, half-brother to winning sprinter Titus Academy.
Amazing Toto Mtoto colt out of Star Princess.
Cotswolds Green Desert gelding out of Valley of Gold.
Historical Giant (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Behind, never a factor, 6th of 9, 15l behind Cigalas (9-3) at Warwick 7f mdn stk (5) sft in Aug.
Rowaad 66-1 (8-13) Always behind, last of 16, 23l behind Music Box Express (8-8) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
Shakedown 5-2fav (9-3) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Doric Lady (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.
Sirocco Breeze Green Desert colt out of Baldemosa.
Amylee (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, weakened final 2f, 10th of 16, 11l behind Elysee Palace (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Kinlochard 33-1 (8-9) Rear group, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 8l behind Straight Sets (9-4) at Newbury 7f mdn fll (5) gs in Aug.
Melia (GR) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Wallonia (8-11) at Thirsk 7f mdn fll (4) gd in Aug.
Pivka 5-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and outpaced by winner inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Cadre (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Second Opinion (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 7, 21l behind Pavershooz (9-7) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Ashton Heights 150-1 (8-10) Keen in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching 2f out, 13th of 15, 23l behind Doric Lady (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.
Master of Light 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden when outpaced halfway, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 15, 6l behind Strawberry Moon (8-12) at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gs in Sept.
Transparency Josr Algarhoud gelding out of 7f-1m2f winner Scene.
