close up, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, hung right over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
behind, ridden, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish
behind, ridden, hampered over 1f out, soon weakened
led, ridden over 1f out, caught post
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, ridden, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden, headway final furlong, stayed on to lead post
with leader, ridden, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 1f out
A few in with chances here but we'll side with WHO'S SHIRL to follow up a resounding Newcastle success, while Minturno, Darcy's Pride and John Keats are all considered. The selection won a similar race at Gosforth Park by fully five lengths last month, though she has been raised 10lbs as a result. However, that may still mean that she is well handicapped here and as a filly in form we will follow her again today. Minturno loves decent ground and this trip, and despite being beaten from this mark last time it was probably conditions that stopped him, so on quicker ground he is respected. Darcy's Pride also won at Newcastle last time, in her case over the minimum trip, and on balance she is worth taking on back over 6f as she looks better over five. John Keats represents a yard going well and is now 6lbs below his last winning mark. He rarely puts in a bad run and would not be winning out of turn. Elkhorn has a similar profile and is a victim of his own consistency, taking plenty of time to slip in the weights. Just Sam is only 2lbs higher than when winning here last month but she has been too bad to be true on her last two starts, so we'll side with Who's Shirl.
Sea Rover (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 19l behind Medici Time (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Who's Shirl 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, won at Newcastle 6f app hcp (6) gf in Aug beating Micky Mac (9-5) by 5l, 10 ran.
Elijah Pepper (USA) 8-1 (8-6) Behind until ridden and kept on final 2f, never nearer, 9th of 16, 4l behind Glenridding (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Minturno (USA) 14-1 (8-10) Outpaced in rear, headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 11l behind Conry (9-1) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
John Keats 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, outpaced halfway, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Avontuur (8-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Jimwil (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Raced keenly, headway 5f out, weakened when hung right on bend over 2f out, last of 12, 17l behind Regeneration (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Just Sam (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Led 2f, remained prominent, weakened 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 9, 12l behind Hotham (8-13) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Bateleur 9-1 (9-6) Held up, pushed along when not clear run over 1f out, never dangerous, last of 8, 8l behind Ghost Dancer (9-1) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Angaric (IRE) 28-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 9l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (9-6) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Darcy's Pride (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong, won at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Aug beating Sunley Sovereign (9-1) by shd, 12 ran.
Thunder Bay 14-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 8l behind Nomoreblondes (9-2) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Yorkshire Blue 33-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, struggling halfway, switched left and rallied over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Carnivore (9-6) at Redcar 7f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Elkhorn 7-1 (8-12) Raced far side, tracked leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Mayoman (9-0) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gs.
Foreign Rhythm (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 15, 1 3/4l behind Averoo (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Aug.
