started slowly and behind, ridden along and headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
in touch, led over 2f out, ridden out final furlong
towards rear and soon chased along, never dangerous
held up behind leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up, effort halfway, no impression
close up, driven 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
This is a competitive start to the card but short list material looks to be Proclaim, Lucky Numbers and our selection COLEORTON CHOICE. Proclaim had half a length in hand on Lucky Numbers when the pair met last time out on fast ground at Doncaster. This trip or 7f look ideal for both of them, and while there should be little to choose between them again today, Mark Johnston's Proclaim is likely to find a little more improvement and can confirm that form, although Lucky Numbers does have a better draw. Another with a good low draw is Coleorton Choice, who was a course and distance scorer with some cut in the ground here last season. Now a stone higher in the weights, he represents an in-form yard, handles fast ground well, and the return to this trip looks a plus. He does not look to have stopped progressing and we will side with him. Richard Fahey could probably train an elephant to win at the moment, but instead here he saddles Diktat colt Mister Laurel. A course and distance win on fast ground last time out has seen him rise 4lbs in the weights but there could be more to come. Parisian Pyramid looks to have frame claims but has a far side draw to overcome and we prefer Coleorton Choice.
Parisian Pyramid (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Coleorton Choice (8-10) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) hvy in Sep.
Proclaim 7-1 (8-10) In touch, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, edged right and kept on close home, won at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Lucky Numbers (8-6) by hd, 12 ran.
Mullglen 16-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, staying on when carried left and not clear run inside final furlong, no chance after, 13th of 23, 4 1/2l behind Jargelle (8-6) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) gd in Jul.
Excellent Show 20-1 (8-12) Soon chasing far side leaders, weakened 2f out, 6th in group, 16th of 17, 20l behind Langs Lash (8-12) at Ascot 5f 2yo stks (1) gf in Jun.
Coleorton Choice 7-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Brenin Taran (8-10) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-90 (3) fm.
Fivefootnumberone (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Proclaim (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Mister Laurel 5-2 (8-10) In touch, ridden and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Cheviot (9-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Mazzola 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Aakef (9-5) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Lucky Numbers (IRE) 15-2 (8-6) In touch, led over 2f out, driven when headed inside final furlong, rallied close home, 2nd of 12, hd behind Proclaim (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
