keen hold, held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when beaten final furlong
raced alone towards stands side rail, hung right throughout, made all, shaken up and ran on final furlong, held on near finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
reared badly start, behind, headway halfway, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway when struck by rivals whip on head approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
in touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not quicken near finish
reared start, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on one pace under pressure final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, hard driven and strong run final furlong, not reached winner
Woodcote is the sporting suggestion over Green Manalishi, Lafi and Charles Darwin. The last named has developed in a useful tool in races of this nature and, as a previous course winner, he should have no problems with the stiff finish. However, it is debatable as to whether he is better over an extra furlong and he may find things happening a touch too quickly for him. Lafi - whose 2004 Wokingham success is now the stuff of legend - has been expensive to follow in recent times and he is not easy to catch right. However, his last few starts have hinted at a return to form, so a bold bid cannot be ruled out. Green Manalishi is a regular in events like this but, having gone over the 100 mark in the ratings, he is always going to be vulnerable to a more attractively handicapped rival. With Woodcote appealing as an option at the likely odds today. Clive Cox has kept the four-year-old busy this term and, as he is much better than he showed at Ayr last time, Woodcote can be fancied to give us a solid run for the money over his most appropriate trip.
Lafi (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, staying on until headed and no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Philharmonic (8-9) at Beverley 5f stk (3) gf in Sept.
Corridor Creeper (FR) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Fantasy Believer (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Green Manalishi 10-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 4l behind Fantasy Believer (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Cape Royal 11-2 (9-0) In touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 3l behind Sierra Vista (9-3) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Woodcote (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Raced stands side, behind, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 20th of 23, 19l behind Fonthill Road (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Idle Power (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Prominent, ridden and weakened from 2f out, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Fantasy Believer (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Prince Namid 28-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 19th of 23, 12l behind Fonthill Road (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Connect 12-1 (8-9) Always in rear, 9th of 12, 5l behind Munaddam (9-6) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.
Golden Dixie (USA) 100-1 (8-12) In touch stands side, weakened final furlong, 15th of 23, 5l behind Fonthill Road (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance inside final 2f, not quicken over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Al Qasi (8-13) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Sept.
Green Park (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 5l behind Sierra Vista (9-3) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Godfrey Street 8-1 (9-3) Pushed along in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 3l behind Grand Show (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcap (4) std.
