always in rear, weakened from 2f out, eased final furlong
mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, kept on one pace
behind, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, gaining near finish
towards rear, headway 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on, never threatened leaders
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on and held on well
in touch, ridden over 2f out, not paced to challenge and weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden 2, dispute lead 2f out, every chance, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
took keen hold in mid division, ridden along over 2f out, no real impression until ran on inside final furlong
led, hard pressed over 2f out, joined 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
Gib has now hit form and is taken to complete a hat-trick, with Ronaldsay, Princess Cocoa and Viva La Flag likely to attract support as well. This is not the strongest of contests, and many will fancy the chances of Ronaldsay here, but she is now 10lb higher than when gaining her sole success at York last term, and is worth opposing. We intend to do so with Gib who to be fair has more on her plate here than when gaining back-to-back victories at Lingfield and Bath this term. The Barry Hills-trained filly only just managed to hang on last time, but the ground was pretty testing, and as she looked much more at home on the faster going at Lingfield the time before, and has conditions much more in her favour here, she must surely go well at the bottom end of the handicap. Princess Cocoa was unfortunate to be caught right on the line by Malyana at Ripon last time, and she too goes well on fast ground over today's trip, while another to consider is Viva La Flag who wears a tongue-tie for the first time after her defeat on softer ground here three weeks ago. They all have claims of a sort, but we return to Gib as the pick.
Home Sweet Home (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened just inside final 2f, 7th of 15, 6l behind Fongs Gazelle (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 1f fll hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Capitana (GER) 11-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind One To Win (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul '05.
Ronaldsay 6-1 (8-9) Held up behind, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Samira Gold (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst fll hcp (1) gd in Aug.
Voliere 7-1 (9-10) Raced keenly, led, stayed alone on stand rail straight, driven 2f out, no chance with far side from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 9l behind Rhuepunzel (9-5) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Royal Fantasy (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, held when hampered inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Guacamole (9-6) at Newmarket 1m fll hcp (4) frm in Aug.
Viva La Flag (USA) 7-2jt-fav (9-2) Raced wide, held up, chased leaders 5f out, effort 2f out, no extra, 6th of 10, 14l behind Pippa Greene (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Josephine Malines 9-1 (9-0) In touch in chasing group, weakened 2f out, 6th of 11, 6l behind Alo Pura (9-0) at Ascot 1m 3yo mdn fll (4) gs in Jul.
Arabian Treasure (USA) 5-2fav (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 7l behind Fragrancy (9-2) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Going To Work (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden 2f out, some late progress, 4th of 9, 3l behind Perfect Star (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (3) gf in Jul.
Gib (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (9-6) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead post, won at Bath 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Jul beating Sweet Request (8-7) by a hd, 7 ran.
Princess Cocoa (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Held up behind leaders, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Malyana (9-6) at Ripon 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gd in Aug.
