behind from halfway
led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and drifted left over 1f out, held on towards finish
in touch, outpaced halfway, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, soon behind
behind, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
always behind
in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never troubled leaders
in touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
always towards rear
tracked leaders, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
behind until ridden and kept on from 1f out, nearest finish
held up, always behind
chased leader to halfway, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
always behind
This is a tricky race to say the least, and a fair chance can be given to a number of them, including Polar Force, Banjo Bay, Brut, Val De Maal, Snow Bunting and Torrent, but for the selection we'll just side with Hout Bay. Richard Fahey's eight-year-old does not have too much form to recommend him on this year, but has shown in the past that he tends to come to hand at this time of year, and is now eight pounds lower than when winning this time last year at Ayr. He has a good jockey booked, will appreciate whatever rain there is, and could go well at decent odds here. Polar Force has had a good year and has to be included on recent form, most notably a good win at Yarmouth last time. Banjo Bay was having his first start for a while over this course and distance last time and is entitled to improve for it. David Nicholls' charge would certainly come into the reckoning on some of his form in the spring. Brut is a fairly consistent sprinter who beat Dark Champion narrowly at Thirsk last month and should confirm that form. Snow Bunting is a good sort at this type of level but may still be a pound or two high in the weights. Val De Maal made all to win a competitive race at Newcastle last month and has a good jockey booked here, while Torrent is a few pounds out of the handicap but showed he still retains ability when third at Catterick last time. A real conundrum then, but hopefully we can solve it with Hout Bay.
Xpres Digital 20-1 (9-13) Chased leaders to over 3f out, soon behind, 13th of 16, 22l behind Acomb (9-7) at Thirsk 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Polar Force 9-1 (8-11) Raced stand's side, always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Golden Asha (8-12) by a nk, 15 ran.
Banjo Bay (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Nistaki (9-1) at Redcar 6f stk 0-65 (5) gd in Aug.
Brut 8-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind The Fisio (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Val de Maal (IRE) 11-2 (8-5) Tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd near finish, 4th of 11, 2l behind Law Maker (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Time N Time Again 16-1 (7-11) Behind and outpaced, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 16, 4l behind Neon Blue (8-1) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) gf.
Petite Mac 7-1 (9-3) Behind far side, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 20, 2 1/2l behind Fairgame Man (8-6) at Newcastle 6f app hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Torrent 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 17, 3l behind Ballybunion (9-3) at Catterick 5f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
