dropped in start, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, wide entering straight, never in contention
mid-division, lost place over 4f out, some headway over 1f out, no impression
held up in rear, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, not much room over 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, effort when hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, switched right entering straight, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached winner
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, chased winner over 6f out, hung left from well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
mid-division, raced keenly, not much room over 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon no extra
raced keenly, tracked winner until well over 6f out, remained prominent, weakened over 1f out
It could pay to side with LUNAR RIVER in this handicap and she is nominated to get the better of both Pha Mai Blue and Follow The Flag. The selection ran a blinder at Lingfield last time when she was caught in the shadows of the post by Some Sunny Day. That form reads well in the context of this race and from a good draw she can gain her compensation for that narrow defeat. Pha Mai Blue has won three times on the all-weather and he beat Shaded Edge at Lingfield last time out. The longer trip should not be a problem but he has tended to reserve his best so far for Lingfield. Follow The Flag was no match for Calahonda at Southwell last time but he has gained all four of his successes on the polytrack so the return to this venue could see him in a better light. Sunny Future has been running consistently well and he wasn't beaten far on his only other previous try here so he could go well at a price. However, the vote goes to Lunar River.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on to go 3rd and edged right inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Calahonda (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug.
Lunar River (FR) 11-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, good headway on inside from 2f out, led well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 13, nk behind Some Sunny Day (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol in Aug.
Ergo (FR) 25-1 (9-13) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 12, 6l behind Morocchius (8-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Led to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 8l behind Morocchius (8-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Pha Mai Blue 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug beating Shaded Edge (9-5) by nk, 8 ran.
Provost 13-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden halfway, weakened well over 2f out, last of 14, 38l behind Calahonda (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug.
Bid For Glory 20-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 12th of 14, 13l behind Sarah Park (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Lujano 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inside, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 18l behind Morocchius (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Aug.
Margarita (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Turning Top (9-11) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Ultimate Respect (USA) 17-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, not troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 7l behind Theatre Street (9-3) at Epsom Downs 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
The Grey One (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) In touch, went 2nd over 3f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Cheers For Thea (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Hidden Door (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 11l behind Balata (9-8) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Sunny Future (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out ridden and headed over 2f out chased leader, until inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Spring Secret (8-13) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
