in touch, ridden to go 3rd over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
raced wide, held up, pushed along 4f out, headway under pressure 2f out, ridden to challenge winner when flashed tail 1f out, not quicken near finish
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, tracked leader over 8f out, ridden to press leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven and found extra when pressed inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear, outpaced over 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
in touch, lost place over 4f out, soon struggling
tracked leader until over 8f out, tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
More can be expected from Little Oz who will benefit from her first outing in a handicap whilst APACHE KID is 12lbs higher in the weights than Best Of Broadway but may still emerge victorious in this contest. The pick was six lengths ahead of Best Of Broadway when second behind the impressive run of Captain John Nixon. Although there is a greater disparity in the weights against the selection today, a narrow loss over course and distance last month is enough to persuade us to side with Apache Kid. He has the potential to lose his maiden tag against this opposition. Little Oz wasn't near the leaders at Windsor on her seasonal bow and handicap debut and in addition hasn't shown much in three maiden starts last year. She is likely to come on for that run but this track hasn't treated Kieren Fallon that well over the years with only two winners in the past five seasons. Sir Mark Prescott's debut handicap runners have to be respected especially when stepped up in trip and any market support for Albacocca is worth noting. However, we side with Apache Kid.
Apache Kid (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Tracked leading trio, disputing well held 2nd and hung right over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Captain John Nixon (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Little Oz (IRE) 9-2 (8-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 7l behind Milnagavie (8-10) at Windsor 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Best Of Broadway (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, effort on outside and wide entering straight 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 16l behind Captain John Nixon (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Albacocca 66-1 (8-7) Dwelt, always behind, 9th of 11, 18l behind Zahoo (9-0) at Haydock 1m 2yo stks (5) gf in Sep.
Polebrook 33-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 11l behind Leader Of The Land (9-3) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Sarmad (USA) 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 20l behind Quiet (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Sep.
Rock Of Behistun (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Keen, led, headed 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 21l behind Broughtons Point (10-0) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Jennerous Blue 66-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 10, 19l behind Captain John Nixon (8-7) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
