chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong
led, clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, headed and no extra near finish
held up, steady headway from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened towards finish
rider pulled hood off late, slowly away, always in rear
chased leader over 4f
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on
behind, raced along up stands side rail, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead near finish
Shortlisted in this sprint are Blessed Place, Norcroft and Calabaza, with the selection being Blessed Place. Guildenstern has taken a drop in the ratings but, having won from an eight-pounds higher mark than today last June - and with cheekpieces fitted for the first time today - he cannot be ruled out of running well. Nans Lady has disappointed in two British runs since showing promise in Ireland, while Blessed Place cannot be ruled out of a good run from his current mark, and he comes here on the back of a good five-furlong effort. Norcroft won over course and distance from a five-pounds higher mark last August so can be considered and respected on that basis, and the handicapper has certainly given Duke Of Milan a chance now and he too cannot be ruled out. Riolo has dropped back to his August 2006 seven-furlong winning mark, but we prefer the chances of others today, and Calabaza could certainly be considered from a falling mark based on his best summer 2006 runs. Of the others, Kennington actually won from an 18-pounds higher mark over five furlongs last August but, as you might deduce, more-recent runs have been modest. Gone 'n' Dunnett, one of three Christine Dunnett runners in the contest, could also have a case built for him based on best 2006 runs but, once again, for the selection, we will stick with Blessed Place.
Guildenstern (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Soon in rear, struggling final 3f, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 8l behind Mozakhraf (8-12) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Nans Lady (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Keen, mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 7l behind Resplendent Nova (10-0) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul.
Blessed Place 9-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Divine Spirit (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Norcroft 8-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, no extra close home and headed final strides, 2nd of 13, hd behind Mozakhraf (8-12) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Duke Of Milan (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Behind, some late headway well over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 6l behind Ebraam (9-5) at W'hampton 6f hcap (6) pol in Jul.
Riolo (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) In touch, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 14l behind Colinca's Lad (9-3) at Newmarket 1m app hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Calabaza 7-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 8l behind Silver Prelude (8-10) at Yarmouth 5f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Must Be Keen 20-1 (7-13) Reared start, never a factor, 11th of 12, 10l behind Our Fugitive (9-3) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Jul.
Kennington 22-1 (8-4) Awkward start, always behind, 12th of 14, 9l behind Majestical (8-8) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Majestical (8-8) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
