tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, caught post
pulled hard, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge
pulled hard, held up in last place, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead post
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly away, in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
Roman Quest, Fiefdom and Expensive Art form the short list here, with the selection being Roman Quest. Fiefdom won last summer from a mark of 82 and, having run pretty well from slightly higher marks than today of late, he has to be considered if at or near his best. He is now rated 75. The Cayterers could be considered, even though he has been slightly disappointing this season. He ran only five days ago in cheekpieces for the first time and was not disgraced. Roman Quest has returned to his winning mark of June 2006 and he has been looking as though a return to seven furlongs might be worth another try, so his chance is respected, while Torquemada ran well from today's mark over today's trip at Lingfield last time but was behind Fiefdom in that contest, the latter being two pounds worse off now for a length and a half. With the winner there, Ivory Lace, having won since, the form looks pretty good too. Recent winner Life's A Twirl has so far seemed better at a mile but Expensive Art has looked improved in his last two runs and a step up to seven furlongs today might bring even more. Finally, you could actually build the case for Chalentina, although recent selling-class defeats temper enthusiasm for her chance and, with the others, for us, having to show improvement in order to score, we return to the selection, which is Roman Quest.
Fiefdom (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead briefly over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Fremen (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Mr Cellophane 11-2 (9-0) Always in rear, struggling over 2f out, 10th of 11, 8l behind Misaro (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcap (4) pol in Jul.
Roman Quest 13-2 (11-5) Slowly into stride, held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mythical Charm (10-1) at Salisbury 7f amt hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Torquemada (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Ivory Lace (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) gd in Jun.
Empire Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind dhtrs Grand Vizier (9-0) & Hoh Wotanite (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Life's A Whirl 14-1 (9-4) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 1m fll hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Astroangel (8-12) by 2l, 17 ran.
Expensive Art (IRE) 11-8fav (8-12) Raced stand side, reared start, held up in touch, headway halfway, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Nouveau (8-4) at Folkestone 6f 3yo app hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Chalentina 15-2 (8-12) Mid-division, effort 2f out, no chance with first 2, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Charlie Delta (9-10) at Salisbury 7f clm (5) gf in Jun.
The Cayterers 25-1 (8-1) In touch far side, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace over 1f out, 13th of 27, 4 1/2l behind Pearly Wey (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
