soon chasing leader, lost 2nd 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always prominent, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway on outside 7f out, ridden 2f out, no response
in touch, tightened up slightly well over 2f out, soon slightly outpaced, edged right over 1f out, rallied final furlong, ran on
mid-division, pushed along and lost place over 3f out, drifted left 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
held up in rear, keen early, ridden over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
Herrera has been well-held on her last two starts and is passed over here in favour of FORREST FLYER; the rest of the shortlist consists of Ifatfirst, Ibrox and Merrion Tiger. Plenty of in-form performers here in what looks a competitive handicap but the edge may lie with Ian Semple's son of Daylami. Now a winner of two of his last four starts, the gelding has a 5lb higher mark to contend with today but that may not be enough to stop another very bold show. Ifatfirst was well-fancied last time following a win at Hamilton the time before; he perhaps is not the strongest stayer and so can be taken on over this trip. Agglestone is more interesting now stepped up in trip, a comment that also applies to Fenners. Hererra drops in trip, Eye Candy and Catskill lead a decent Irish challenge and each looks fairly handicapped at present, whilst Merrion Tiger¿s run at Musselburgh behind Callisto Moon reads well and he cannot be ignored. Also on the 'in-form list' goes recent course winner Ibrox but he perhaps has stamina to prove, so in an open race it is Forrest Flyer who is nominated.
Herrera (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden a long and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Nemo Spirit (9-8) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jun.
Ibrox (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun beating Hawkit (8-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Forrest Flyer (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead entering final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Baizically (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Ifatfirst (IRE) 7-4fav (8-8) Held up in rear, effort over 3f out, not much room over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Chookie Hamilton (8-13) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Merrion Tiger (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and effort over 2f out, staying on under pressure when bumped and carried right final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Callisto Moon (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Eye Candy (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Almanyan (9-6) at Tramore 1m 6f hcp 0-65 gd in May.
Catskill 8-1 (9-9) Held up, 11th halfway, no impression from 2 1/2f out, 10th of 18, 22l behind Eight Up (9-13) at Galway 1m 4f hcp 0-70 sft in Aug '07.
Fenners (USA) 4-1fav (8-8) Towards rear, headway 3f out, led 2f out, hung right inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, ns behind Piverina (8-4) at Hamilton 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
Oh Landino (GER) 28-1 (8-5) Held up, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Ibrox (9-7) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
Agglestone Rock 16-1 (9-1) Held up, always behind, 14th of 16, 16l behind Fell Pack (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in May.
