mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression
held up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
always behind
mid-division, driven and outpaced 4f out, soon behind
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
led, headed over 6f out, chased leader, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway over 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong
chased leaders, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
behind, ridden and some headway over 2f out, never near leaders
in touch, lost place 4f out, soon behind
behind, ridden 4f out, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, never nearer
with leader, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
TALAYEB is our idea of the most likely winner with Diamond Lass and Oskari the likely dangers. Marcus Tregoning's yard has emerged from the depths of a serious problem earlier in the year and as such, it could be worth chancing that a number of his horses are much better than the form they have shown on the track so far. A third in a decent Ascot handicap reads well in the context of this race. Diamond Lass ran a career best at Ayr last month. She can do better still over this slightly longer trip. Oskari has a nice racing weight. He acquitted himself well on his most recent outing at Southwell. Kapsillat has taken her chances in some lofty maidens in the past but she was comfortably held on handicap debut. Alqaffay floundered badly at Pontefract under testing conditions and does not look to have anything like the ability of his esteemed half-brother, Echo Of Light. Whirlijig was well supported at Doncaster last time out so could plausibly be better than her form suggests. Lady Rose Anne was on her first run for David Barron at Pontefract so watch the market this afternoon. Bollin Dolly is related to a number of winners and it is of interest that connections bring this mare back after two seasons off the racecourse. A red letter day for one of this bunch and Talayeb appears to have most ticks in the right boxes.
Alqaffay (IRE) 5-2 (9-12) Close up, ridden to chase winner entering final 2f, outpaced approaching final furlong, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Times Up (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Jul.
Talayeb 14-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 19, 5l behind Trafalgar Bay (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Tropical Blue 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leader and keen, ridden over 2f out, not much room when staying on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Cry Alot Boy (9-4) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jul.
Lady Rose Anne (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never near leaders, 9th of 13, 31l behind Sporting Gesture (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Diamond Lass (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, took 2nd last stride, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Ensnare (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Kapsiliat (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Queen Eleanor (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol in Jul.
Heading East (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, chased leader to over 2f out, weakened rapidly and eased, last of 8, 32l behind Flying Silks (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Bollin Dolly 10-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Parchment (9-12) at Beverley 1m 4f ladies hcp (6) gf in Sep '07.
Northside Prince (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along in 6th when brought down over 3f out, in a race won by Whaston (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul, 12 ran.
Oskari 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, rallied to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Swiss Art (9-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jul.
Flora's Pride 12-1 (9-3) 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Tour d'Amour (8-11) at Redcar 1m 2f fll hcp (5) fm in Jul.
King's Counsel (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Pushed along to soon lead, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Singora Lady (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Markadam 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, wide and soon in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 11, 24l behind Shaylee (9-6) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
Nut Hand (IRE) 9-2 (8-5) Led early, remained close up, weakened well over 3f out, 5th of 7, 29l behind Astroleo (8-2) at Southwell 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jul.
Whirlijig (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Harry The Hawk (9-9) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul.
