led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, kept on
behind, effort when not much room 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong
dwelt, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden over halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened halfway
in touch, stayed on final furlong
led for a furlong, chased leaders, one pace final 2f
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly away, behind, ridden 2f out, headway well over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders until halfway
mid-division, effort halfway, soon weakened
always behind
A 20-runner sprint has produced another competitive race on a competitive York card and for the selection we give a sporting vote to Winthorpe, with Playful Dane, Parkside Pursuit, Byo and Cerulean Rose among a number of others to consider. The selection is just that by virtue of the fact that, despite having been a little bit disappointing overall this season, he is now six pounds below the mark from which he won at Doncaster in August 2003. He has run some reasonable races in defeat of late and maybe the first-time cheekpieces will today bring about that extra bit of improvement. Playful Dane has been in great form of late, winning two of his last four races and, given that he is set to rise soon by nine pounds in the ratings, well, his chance is there for all to see. He also has a very good five-pound claimer in the saddle. Ouef A La Neige also comes here in good heart following two successive wins. However, both of those victories came over six furlongs and connections also feel that he is at his best with give in the going. Of the others, Parkside Pursuit is back to below a winning mark, Cerulean Rose will be fitter for her recent Newmarket run and could go well, Byo is back to a rating from which we know he can win, Izmail can be given a chance based on his summer form, Roman Mistress, who is closely weighted with Cerulean Rose on August form, Aahgowangowan, who could jump out and attempt to make all, Blue Maeve, who is eight pounds better off for the three-and-a-half lengths she finished behind Playful Dane at Newcastle September 29, and Jagged, who is seven pounds better off for the just-over-a-length he finished behind Ouef A La Neige at Bath on Septemebr 13, can have cases made for them.And it will be interesting to see whether a first-time visor can aid the cause of French import Calypso Dancer. In conclusion, you pay your money and you make your choice. In our case, we give a tentative vote to Winthorp.
