mid-division, headway under pressure to chase leaders 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, pushed along 4f out, headway and not clear run over 3f out, soon hampered, weakened final furlong
soon led, headed 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
in rear, ridden and struggling over 4f out
chased leader, headed 4f out, headed well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in rear, pushed along 6f out, well behind over 3f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous
in touch, driven along 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, headway and not clear run over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, soon no impression, lost 2nd near finish
mid-division, headway going well over 3f out, led well over 1f out, hung right approaching final furlong, soon in command and clear
prominent, ridden and weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway 4f out, one pace final 2f
always behind
In a competitive handicap, Last Flight is selected ahead of Squadron and Esprit de Corps. Soft ground would boost our view of Last Flight's chances who, prior to a modest Pontefract run, had looked progressive. A first-time visor might help to correct things today. Squadron is two pounds worse off for nearly a length with Synonymy based on recent Salisbury form, while Captain General is closing in on a winning mark and cannot be ruled coming into this race fresher than most. Both, for us, hold chances while, finally, Esprit de Corps ran so well at Goodwood last time that another bold show is not ruled out again today and, given that he was only just denied off his current mark last time, Hawridge King cannot be ruled out of a good run today, even off topweight. For the selection, though, we return to Last Flight.
Hawridge King 7-1 (9-1) Mid-division, closer order 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Aphorism (8-12) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Esprit de Corps 4-1fav (8-6) Held up, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to challenge and hung right over 1f out, carried head high and no extra final furlong, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Secret Ploy (8-6) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Aug.
Mind How You Go (FR) 10-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 10l behind Mister Arjay (9-6) at York 2m hcap (4) gf in Sept.
Historic Place (USA) 9-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Indian Pipe Dream (9-5) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Oct '05.
Baan (USA) 7-2fav (9-5) Led after 2f, driven and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 8l behind Pinch of Salt (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
River City (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Hilltop Destiny (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, never troubled leaders, 9th of 10, 22l behind Broughtons Revival (9-10) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Sept.
Mister Completely (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Soon chasing leader, lost 2nd 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 26l behind Aphorism (8-12) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Isle de Maurice 33-1 (11-1) Always behind, 13th of 16, 10l behind Prime Powered (10-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov '05.
Last Flight (IRE) 9-4 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden along over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind dhtrs Strobe (9-1) & Indonesia (10-0) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcap (5) frm in Sept.
Squadron 3-1fav (9-3) Led for 1f, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Rehearsed (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Highland Legacy 4-1 (8-8) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, driven and some headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Copernican (8-9) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Synonymy 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Rehearsed (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Sweetheart 17-2 (8-12) Held up, headway and came stands side 3f out, chased winner from over 1f out, kept on, just failed, 2nd of 8, nk behind Plane Painter (9-5) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Tavares (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, no chance final 2f, 10th of 14, 9l behind Papradon (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f stk 0-55 (6) pol.
Sa Nau 5-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon headway, kept on final furlong, 4th of 17, 4l behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf in Sept.
Captain General 15-2 (9-10) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, 12th of 15, 9l behind Elegant Hawk (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Noora (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never reached leaders, 6th of 13, 8l behind Bold Adventure (7-12) at Kempton 2m hcap (6) pol in Sept.
