Verdict

DARK INTENTION escapes a penalty for winning an apprentices’ handicap at York and should take all the beating again if handling this slightly softer surface. Rock N Rolla was just beaten over a longer trip on soft ground at Musselburgh last Saturday so rates a danger. He’s preferred to stablemate Forever A Lady and other course and distance winners Reinforced and Royal Duchess. Bahamian Bird is starting to slip down the weights while Tim Easterby should find a race for Mischief Managed before the year is out.

Formwatch

Tommy G 8-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Manshood (9-9) at Hamilton 6f hcp (4) gs in Aug.

Bahamian Bird 17-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, lost place 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Sakhee's Return (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.

Dark Intention (IRE) 13-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, outpaced approaching halfway, switched right and headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at York 7f hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Roll On Rory (9-4) by 2 1/4l, 18 ran.

Miss Sheridan (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 17 3/4l behind Important Mission (8-13) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (3) pol in Aug.

Rock N Rolla (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, effort when short of room over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, nk behind Heatongrad (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp (4) sft in Sep.

Lexington Sky (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Held up, never on terms, 10th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Penny Pot Lane (8-13) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) sft in Sep.

Forever A Lady (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) In touch, driven halfway, hung right under pressure over 2f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Set In Stone (9-12) at Musselburgh 1m hcp fll (4) sft in Sep.

Royal Duchess 7-2fav (9-10) Dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 3l behind Inglorious (8-12) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.

Magistral 17-2 (9-4) Dwelt, always in rear, last of 12, 26 1/2l behind Strong Steps (10-3) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gs in Jul.

Reinforced 9-2 (9-10) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Tagur (8-13) at Carlisle 7f hcp (5) hvy in Sep.

Donnelly's Rainbow (IRE) 3-1fav (9-9) Held up in touch and keen, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Habbad (9-4) at Doncaster 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.

The Name's Paver 12-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, edged left under pressure and outpaced over 1f out, never dangerous after, 5th of 11, 5l behind Cosy Club (8-11) at Ayr 7f hcp (6) gd in Jul.

Stardrifter 16-1 (9-0) Slowly away, in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never involved, 5th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Al Hawraa (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (6) gs in Sep.

Mischief Managed (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and one pace when edged right over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Manatee Bay (9-10) at Carlisle 6f hcp (5) gs in Aug.