tracked leaders, challenged from 2f out, chased winner and stayed on strongly final furlong, just failed
held up in mid-division, effort under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never going pace to reach leader
tracked leader, ridden and every chance from 2f out, unable to quicken near finish
in touch, hard ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, never a factor
led 8f out, headed 3f out, weakened rapidly and soon eased
always behind, driven along and struggling 4f out
behind, stayed on final 2f, never in contention
held up in rear, never a factor
in touch, ridden 2f out and soon weakened
led until 8f out, tracked leaders, led 3f out, stayed on gamely when hard pressed throughout final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
Bridegroom is an improving type and can follow up his recent success, Optimus and South O'The Border appear to be the main dangers. David Elsworth's runners invariably progress with racing and Bridegroom stepped up on previous efforts to beat Arsad at Beverley. He does have a bit to find with a couple of these on official ratings but there could be more to come. South O' The Border landed a handicap off a mark of 76, before finishing third in a stronger race at sandown. He is suited by the conditions of the race and a big run is expected. Optimus has a similar rating to the latter and has also been running well. There should be little between the pair but Optimus in receipt of three pounds may just have the edge. The others make little appeal and so that brings us back to Bridegroom who looks the likely winner.
South O'The Border 9-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, going well over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Fort Churchill (9-11) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Optimus (USA) 4-1jt-fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden to press leader 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Cross The Line (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Bridegroom 6-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating Arsad (8-11) by 1l, 16 ran.
Incidentally (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 10l behind Bauer (9-0) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Nefski Alexander (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, edged right when no chance inside final furlong, last of 7, 10l behind Pagan Crest (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Noah Jameel 50-1 (8-11) Dwelt, effort and not clear run and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd line, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind River Royale (9-0) at Warwick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Mar '05.
Colonel Bilko (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 23l behind Shrine Mountain (9-10) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in May.
Grandos (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden and outpaced 4f out, headway under pressure 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 12l behind Guadiana (9-2) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf in Aug.
Bamboo Banks (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 7f out, remained prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 43l behind Warsaw Pact (8-6) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.
Expression Echo (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) Towards rear, some late headway, never near to challenge, 7th of 14, 8l behind Gala Sunday (10-10) at Beverley 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Lanfredo 66-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 6l behind Moonshine Bill (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f clm (6) gd.
Looker 14-1 (9-2) Led until over 4f out, gradually faded from 2f out, 10th of 13, 14l behind Katchit (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Impulsive Madam 25-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, switched right 1f out and kept on, 6th of 12, 8l behind Astorygoeswithit (8-8) at W'hampton 7f mdn auc (7) pol in Oct.
