with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, headway 4f out, ridden, edged left, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden, some headway approaching 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders 5f
led, ridden, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
keen, hung right throughout, chased leaders 5f, eased over 1f out
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous
held up, hampered over 2f out, headway soon after, ridden, ran on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly away, behind, ridden halfway, switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders over 4f
Blue Java can return to winning ways at the expense of Grizedale, Full Victory and Certain Justice, with plenty lurking further down the weights to consider as well. This really is an ultra-competitive handicap, but Blue Java has overall been most consistent, and can make a bold bid to get recent Ascot losses back. He was never really allowed to dominate in that ladies' race, and in the end dropped away tamely, but his earlier victory at Goodwood showed that he is as good as ever, and if they go a good pace here, that will play to his strengths. Grizedale is a tough cookie who can normally be relied upon to reach the frame at least, and any rain would help his chances. The same comment applies to Full Victory who showed signs of a return to form at Windsor last time, and along with course-and-distance winner Certain Justice, he is another to consider in a wide-open contest. Further down the weights, the likes of Vienna's Boy, Baron's Spy and Treasure House cannot be left out of calculations either, but for the winner we return to Blue Java.
Blue Java 11-2jt-fav (9-5) Chased leaders, led briefly over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 20, 8l behind Lincolneurocruiser (9-5) at Ascot 7f ldy rds hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Grizedale (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Took keen hold, held up centre, headway 3f out, led group over 2f out, hung right and headed 1f out, no chance with winner stand's side rail, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Taranaki (8-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Full Victory (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Chased leaders in 4th, challenged 3f out, chased winner under pressure and hung left from over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Envision (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Grand Show 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened just inside final 2f, 7th of 8, 7l behind Chinalea (8-4) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Aug '05.
Certain Justice (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, hung left under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Clearing Sky (8-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Linda's Colin (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, held up in centre, switched left and headway to lead that group 1f out, not on terms with winner on stand's side rail, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Taranaki (8-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Barons Spy (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Surwaki (10-0) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Treasure House (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Bucharest (8-7) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
