always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, held on gamely
slowly into stride, soon in touch, chased winner 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, reminder soon after start, in rear, never on terms
held up towards rear, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
steadied start, held towards rear, ridden and no impression well over 1f out
raced keenly, soon led, headed after 1f, pushed along from over 3f, weakened well over 1f out
led early, soon steadied mid-division 6f out, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, headway on inside when not much room over 2f out, wandered under pressure inside final furlong, ran on well, gaining near finish
raced keenly, mid-division, lost place over 2f out, no impression when hung left over 1f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear
An interesting handicap, with Royal Amnesty, Phoenix Flight and Ballora all on the short list but preference is for WESTERN ROOTS. The very useful David Probert claims his 5lbs here, which will help the cause of the Andrew Balding-trained gelding. The seven-year-old loves it here, acts well over this trip, and after a poor effort last time there will probably be some value to be had. Royal Amnesty is another who loves Dunstall Park and has enjoyed five wins here over nine furlongs. Stamina is not an issue, as his most recent success came over 1m 4f, but his handicap mark looks to be the major sticking point. Phoenix Flight is worth closer inspection. Sir Mark Prescott's gelding was a 7f winner here some 15 months ago and has not been seen since. He has the pedigree to be very effective at this trip but he did need his debut and the same is likely to happen again after such a long lay off. Ballora acts on this surface and was not far away over the trip at Chester last time, so she is respected, while New Star has the ability to get involved if he handles the polytrack on only his second attempt. There are no such issues, however, with Western Roots, who gets the nod here.
New Star (UAE) 7-1 (9-11) In touch, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Princess Flame (9-9) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Royal Amnesty 14-1 (8-11) Started slowly, held up in rear, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leading pair, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Armure (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Given A Choice (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Slowly away, in rear, kept on final 2f, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 13, 6l behind Wind Flow (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Sept.
Magic Rush 33-1 (8-10) Behind, headway 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 11, 2l behind Multakka (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sept.
Mont Cervin 18-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 32l behind Just Rob (8-13) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Made all, ridden over 2f out, edged left close home, held on, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Jul '07 beating Non Sucre (9-3) by a nk, 11 ran.
Ballora (FR) 15-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Offshore Anna (8-10) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Sept.
Western Roots 7-2 (11-6) With leader, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 12, 13l behind Dragon Slayer (11-5) at Sandown 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd in Aug.
Pugilist 8-1 (9-6) In touch until weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 14l behind Alfie Tupper (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Ahlawy (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Alfie Tupper (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Hyde Lea Flyer 12-1 (9-5) Started slowly, always in rear, 15th of 17, 17l behind Buddy Holly (9-8) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jun.
United Nations 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden to chase leaders, one pace, 4th of 13, 2l behind Strike Force (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Moment of Clarity 33-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, not clear run soon after, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind Strike Force (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
