held up and keen, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead final furlong, soon hung right and headed, hard ridden, edged left and rallied to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up, effort 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon led, hard ridden inside final furlong, headed towards finish
held up and keen, good headway to chase leader over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
Gordonsville deserves to get his head in front having found just one too good in each of his last two starts, latterly when chasing home Always Bold at Hamilton and Jim Goldie's gelding has to be respected. He may have to settle for minor honours again, though, with a better bet looking to be recent Haydock winner HURLINGHAM, who gets the vote over Channel Crossing. The last mentioned has shown improved form this term with a win at Leicester followed up by fair efforts back at the same venue and at Beverley. He has claims but may be a shade high in the weights now so looks best watched. Mark Johnston's Fongs Gazelle has given little sign for encouragement of late but has slipped to a winning mark, while Snow Dancer is favourably treated but does need to step up on recent form to trouble the judge. The vote then goes to Mick Easterby's Hurlingham who took advantage of a decent mark when landing a Haydock handicap last time and he remains well treated despite being raised 6lbs for that success.
Hurlingham 10-1 (10-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led carrying head high over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, edged right, ridden out, won at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug beating Mae Cigan (9-11) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Daraybad (FR) (9-2) 3rd of 8, 2l behind Quinmaster (9-2) at Clairefontaine 1m 3f stk gd in Aug '05.
Tsaroxy (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous, last of 8, 12l behind Bajan Parkes (9-4) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Gordonsville 3-1jt-fav (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Always Bold (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Auenmoon (GER) 6-1 (9-6) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Chief Scout (9-7) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct '06.
Channel Crossing 15-2 (9-10) Took keen hold to lead after 1f, headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Red Fama (8-9) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
Dan Tucker 7-2 (9-6) Towards rear, effort over 3f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 20l behind Fossgate (9-2) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Fongs Gazelle 18-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 5l behind Aypeeyes (10-9) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway from over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 10l behind Astrodome (8-12) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
