mid-division, headway 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish
behind until kept on final 2f, never near leaders
tracked leader, lost place over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, driven over 3f out, never able to challenge
always towards rear
tracked leaders, headway to lead over 3f out, soon headed, ridden and one pace final 2f
dwelt, in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders well over 1f out, kept on no impression
mid-division on outside, headway 4f out, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
always behind, tailed off and eased final 2f
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression
led to over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway on outside over 2f out, driven and ran on well final furlong, not reach leaders
This may be a big field but it may not take much winning, and Azahara may just prove to be the best of a bad bunch, with Crown Agent, Hard Nose and World At My Feet probably best of the rest. Azahara is still a maiden but put up his best effort to date when third in a selling handicap over this course and distance last time. That was particularly noteworthy, as the horse's saddle slipped in the closing stages. While he is by no means the pick on official ratings, at least he comes here in fair form and could prove the pick of a fairly moderate bunch. Hard Nose was far better than these when with John Gosden, but has not seen a racetrack for 825 days and it is anybody's guess as to how much ability he retains. Fiveoclock Express has left Gaye Kelleway's yard after finishing third in a seller at Brighton and would also have to go on the shortlist here, along with World At My Feet, who hasn't been disgraced in either of her last two races on sand, and gets weight from most of her rivals here. Crown Agent has decent claims on some of his old form for Andrew Balding, but showed nothing over hurdles recently and is probably best watched here, so we'll stick with Azahara.
Charlie Tango (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 17, 6l behind Extra Cover (8-0) at Pontefract 1m sll hcp (6) gs.
Fiveoclock Express (IRE) 10-11fav (9-12) Held up rear, headway 4f out, challenged leader over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind River of Diamonds (9-6) at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) gd in Aug.
Crown Agent (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leader to 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Scottish River (11-8) at Newbury 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Hard Nose (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division stands side, headway and hung right 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 29, 13l behind New Seeker (8-8) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (B) gf in Jun '03.
Ronnies Lad 33-1 (8-4) Mid-division, outpaced 4f out, soon behind, 11th of 17, 12l behind Awaken (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gd.
Titus Salt (USA) 10-1 (10-5) Missed break, towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 7l behind Able Mind (10-9) at Carlisle 1m ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Magari 10-1 (9-4) Held up, hampered after 1f, ridden 5f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 7l behind Tetcott (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll mdn hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Jul.
Azahara 12-1 (8-8) Behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, saddled slipped and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Awaken (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gd.
