driven to chase clear leader, ridden 4f out, headway to lead 2f out, stayed on final furlong
led, clear to 3f out, headed 2f out, soon lose place, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, lost place over 4f out, soon weakened and behind
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression
in touch, ridden and headway to chase winner 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression
mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
in rear, outpaced over 4f out, never dangerous
steadied start, held up behind when hampered and fell after 2f
pulled hard, soon in touch, lost place over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
DUNASKIN earns the vote but we can also expect to see the likes of Birkside, Realism and Nawamees feature prominently. Dunaskin has struggled this season but he has run some reasonable races at this venue over the years and showed enough last term for hope to still exist. It's the decision to fit him with a visor that sways the decision as he was successful on the only other occasion that he has run in headgear. Birkside has a choice of entries over the next few days but would be a threat to all if lining up here whilst Realism bounced back to form in this grade at Southwell last time and has won here three times but never over a distance beyond ten furlongs. The trip is also an issue for Gross Prophet and there's unlikely to be any hiding place out there given the selection's style of running. Nawamees finished one spot in front of Edas last time out and could be in the mix whilst it would be remiss of us not to mention Trip The Light and Nosferatu but we predict that Dunaskin will come out on top.
Nosferatu (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Led for 2f, chased leaders, ridden under 3f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 17, 3l behind Buccellati (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct '07.
Dunaskin (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Led for 2f, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 9, 17l behind Allied Powers (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 4f (1) gd.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Led, headed well over 1f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 13l behind Valdan (8-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Trip The Light 9-2 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden along over 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 17l behind Hawk Mountain (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 5-1fav (9-2) Started slowly and towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Princess Rainbow (8-6) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Gross Prophet 8-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, closer order approaching 3f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, edged right close home, won at Chepstow 1m 2f clm stks (6) gf beating Castellina (8-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Edas 7-4fav (9-3) In touch, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Nawamees (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f 4yo sell stks (6) gd.
Realism (FR) 14-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 12, hd behind Aureate (11-7) at Southwell 1m 4f Am clm stks (6) fbs.
Teasing 16-1 (8-5) Hampered start, held up in 4th, raced keenly, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mezzanisi (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Vicious Warrior 16-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon beaten, 10th of 12, 19l behind Princess Rainbow (8-6) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Bridgewater Boys 25-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, tailed off over 2f out, 11th of 13, well behind Kayf Aramis (9-6) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Nawamees (IRE) 10-3 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on near finish, won at Catterick 1m 4f 4yo sell stks (6) gd beating Edas (9-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Birkside 10-1 (9-4) Held up, not much room over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression, 8th of 16, 9l behind Spring Jim (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Saxona (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, riddene out, won at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf beating The Grassy (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
