held up, never dangerous
in touch, under pressure over 2f out, gradually weakened
always prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
led at strong pace, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon chasing winner, weakened final furlong
behind, soon under pressure, headway over 1f out, soon chasing winner, kept on same pace inside final furlong
hampered start, behind, moderate headway when not clear run over 1f out, never dangerous
A competitive race with plenty of positives for most of the runners but also a few negatives; we've opted for MANDARIN SPIRIT although it's easy to see the likes of Sea Salt or He's Got Rhythm winning. Violent Velocity could be hard to keep out of the frame but he's a victim of his own consistency and others are better treated. Malcheek is on a decent mark and will relish the conditions but he has shown his best form at Thirsk whilst John Keats has never won beyond six. Dark Moment is only edging up the weights for his wins and is two from two here but this is tougher again whilst Sea Salt's best efforts have come with more cut in the ground than he'll get here. Stellite has never won from a mark this high whilst He's Got Rhythm has a poor strike rate but the trainer did land a valuable handicap at Doncaster recently. Mandarin Spirit steps up two furlongs and races under a penalty but he's done plenty of winning at this trip from higher marks. The manner of his success was impressive and we'll take Mandarin Spirit to go in again.
Violent Velocity (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Dwelt in rear, held up in rear, switched right 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 17, 4l behind Without Prejudice (9-2) at York 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
He's Got Rhythm (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Soon led, joined 1 1/2f out, soon narrowly headed, kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Sixteen Forty Two (9-6) at Listowel 7f hcp 50-80 gd.
Malcheek (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 11, 3l behind Captain Macarry (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) std.
Dark Moment 4-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, switched left over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, challenging when hampered inside final furlong, driven to lead final strides, won at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug beating Two Turtle Doves (9-2) by nk, 9 ran.
Sea Salt 50-1 (8-9) In rear, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 9, 3l behind Eton Rifles (8-9) at Hamilton 6f cond Stakes (2) gd.
Stellite 10-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, last of 13, well behind She's In The Money (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Made all, clear halfway, unchallenged, won at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Select Committee (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Zabeel Tower 20-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, switched right over 4f out, headway on inside from 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Marvo (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (3) sft in Aug.
John Keats 4-1fav (9-5) Behind, ridden, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 14, hd behind Yorkshire Blue (8-7) at Redcar 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Who's Shirl 11-2 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 1l behind Yorkshire Blue (8-7) at Redcar 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
