prominent, ridden along over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f, kept on final furlong
dwelt and always rear division
held up behind leaders, driven over 1f, no extra final furlong
prominent, reminders halfway, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon beaten
outpaced, towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened over 2f out
steadied at start and held up, led on bridle 3f out, clear over 1f, kept on final furlong
started slowly and behind, never a factor
MANCHESTERMAVERICK is a confident choice to land the opener and he is nominated over the likes of My Mate Mal and Vogarth. Hugh Morrison's strapping 3-year-old has been off the track since July but he was only narrowly beaten last time and if he can improve for that, only his third racecourse appearance, then he should take plenty of stopping. My Mate Mal is an obvious danger as he finished fifth behind Duty Doctor at Wolverhampton last week. However, he lacks the scope of our selection and for that reason he is taken on. Vogarth was not disgraced in a handicap last time but he is thoroughly exposed in comparison to his chief rivals in this race and it will be disappointing if he is good enough to land this event. Isabella's Fancy has shown only moderate form so she is hard to recommend, and we will stick with Manchestermaverick who is expected to improve and he is a confident pick.
My Mate Mal 20-1 (8-12) Soon steadied into mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Duty Doctor (8-12) at W'hampton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Vogarth 8-1 (8-11) Always behind, 9th of 13, 7l behind Mulberry Lad (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Sept.
Lechero (IRE) 80-1 (9-3) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, 41l behind Cape Tribulation (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft.
Manchestermaverick (USA) 6-5fav (9-0) Prominent, chased winner over 2f out, driven and edged left inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Station Place (8-5) at Lingfield 7f mdn aut stk (6) gf in Jul.
Rub of The Relic (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Soon towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 16l behind Dan Chillingworth (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Sept.
Sheik'n'knotsterd 33-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, last of 7, well behind Expresso Star (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) sft in Sept.
Frill A Minute 150-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort halfway, no impression, last of 15, 31l behind Strawberry Moon (8-12) at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gs in Sept.
Savanna's Gold 66-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, well behind over 1f out, 14th of 15, 33l behind Everyman (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Sept.
Isabella's Fancy 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, 5th of 12, 14l behind Spotty Muldoon (9-3) at Warwick 1m mdn aut stk (6) sft in Sept.
Ugly Betty 66-1 (7-11) Behind, struggling from halfway, 9th of 11, 13l behind Avontuur (8-9) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy.
Avatea (IRE) 100-1 (8-5) Very slowly away, always tailed off, last of 15, well behind Eton Rifles (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Sept.
