chased leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
held up and behind, headway from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
chased winner throughout, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on well to hold 2nd
chased leaders 3f
quickly away, made all, drew clear over 1f out, ridden out
held up, headway from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, behind, headway on stands side rail over 1f out, never troubled leaders
in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
dwelt, held up, headway final furlong, not reached leaders
slowly away and always in rear
A big field but Milton Bradley looks to have placed LITHAAM well once again here and he can gain due reward with the gelding's third win from his last five starts, while Towy Boy and Miss Firefly are short-list material. Lithaam has prospered over the minimum trip in recent weeks winning both here and at Nottingham when the ground has been described as good. He gets similar conditions today and gets on well with pilot Ryan Clark who won on him here, and he ran better than his fourth suggests last time from a car park draw. We'll take him to return to winning ways. Towy Boy has never won in 29 starts, but it was only a year ago that he was going close in handicaps from at least half a stone higher in the ratings. He has again been on the premises in his last two races but given what has gone before he is highly likely to find one too good. Miss Firefly has a similar profile, but has at least managed to complete one victory at Bath last season over this distance. Decent ground suits, and she acts at the track, so she can get competitive. Milton Bradley has a sextet involved in the contest, and if any of his others are to upset our applecart it is most likely to be Bluebok, who relishes decent ground, the minimum trip, and is back below his last winning mark. Wavertree Princess will appreciate this sound surface and with the yard going well an improved effort would not surprise from this mark of just 57, but the last can be taken by Lithaam.
Pic Up Sticks 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Triple Dream (8-11) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Shakespeare's Son 13-2 (9-0) Mid-division, never on terms, 8th of 13, 10l behind Guto (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug.
Bluebok 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Tagula Breeze (9-2) at Thirsk 5f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Wavertree Princess (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Always behind, 11th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Guto (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Lithaam (IRE) 13-8fav (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Metal Guru (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Towy Boy (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, not much room and bumped 4f out, ridden to press leaders and every chance 1f out, unable to quicken near finish, 3rd of 16, 1l behind Cape Royal (9-8) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Malapropism 14-1 (8-5) Raced wide in rear, ridden halfway, no impression, last of 8, 8l behind Corton Charlemagne (8-13) at Folkestone 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Miss Firefly 7-1 (8-12) In touch, pressing leaders when carried head high 1f out, soon hung both ways, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Abhainn (8-7) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Compton Rose 20-1 (9-1) Held up mid-divsion, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 9l behind Outer Hebrides (8-10) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Aug.
Monsieur Reynard 8-1 (9-1) Pulled hard, tracked leader, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Lithaam (8-12) at Chepstow 5f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Sandy Par 9-2 (8-9) Prominent, raced keenly, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 4l behind Maggie Kate (8-12) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-52 (6) gs.
Meikle Barfil 14-1 (7-13) Held up in rear, switched left just over 1f out, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Maggie Kate (8-12) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-52 (6) gs.
One Way Ticket 16-1 (8-6) Mid-division, not much room 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 6th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Maggie Kate (8-12) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-52 (6) gs.
Cwmni 12-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden 2f out, edged left over 1f out, soon well beaten, 8th of 10, 7l behind Bermondsey Bob (8-5) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 50-1 (8-1) In rear, hung right inside final furlong, stayed on, no danger, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Step It Up (8-9) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
