prominent, ridden over 3f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
held up, ridden 5f out, soon struggling
held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 2f out, headed inside last, not quicken
in touch and keen, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
The shortlist contains Danceinthevalley, Sasso, To Arms, Halla San and Ruling Reef, with the vote going to Danceinthevalley. A soft ground winner, Danceinthevalley comes here as a lightly-raced, progressive type from an in-form yard. As such, we expect him to go well. Hawridge King has proven himself competitive from his current mark and he earns respect, while Catskill was narrowly denied at Goodwood six days ago, which was an improved effort, and if those exertions have not taken their toll, he could go well. Sasso seemed to improve at Chester last time, although he did finish behind To Arms, when not getting the best of runs and the pair could conceivably be well-weighted, while Halla San remains competitive following a four-pounds rise for his soft-ground Newcastle win. The 470,000 euros purchase Renada might improve for being in handicaps, while San Deng caught the eye when staying on at Sandown last time and also earns respect here. Ross Moor is blinkered for the first time, but they will need to inspire plenty of improvement, while, finally, up six pounds for her Beverley win, Ruling Reef remains competitive on going she will like, and Opera Belle travelled well for a long way at Goodwood last time and might appreciate today's shorter trip. However, all in all, we will side with Danceinthevalley.
Piccolomini 16-1 (8-6) Prominent until weakened inside final 3f, 11th of 16, 22l behind Group Captain (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Sydney Symphony 9-2 (8-13) Always prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Highest Regard (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Opera Belle 12-1 (8-4) Held up 6th, headway to chase leader over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 9l behind Muzdaherha (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Hawridge King 15-2 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, still last 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 7l behind South O'The Border (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Catskill 9-2 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway from 2f out, chased winner 1f out, ran on well final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, hd behind Dove Cottage (8-4) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Halla San 11-4fav (9-0) In touch, switched outside and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Aug beating Plenty Cried Wolf (9-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Renada 50-1 (8-9) Towards rear, effort over 5f out, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 26l behind Khyber Kim (9-0) at Haydock 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gd in Aug.
To Arms 6-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, ran on final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Barbirolli (9-2) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul.
San Deng 10-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched left 2f out, stayed on to chase clear leaders inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Fantorini (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Ross Moor 16-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, help up in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 15, 11l behind Sunshine On Me (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 2f stk 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
High Treason (USA) 5-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Ti Adora (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 3f mdn 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 25-1 (7-11) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 11, 14l behind Celticello (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Ruling Reef 9-2 (7-9) Held up behind leader, led well over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Prelude (8-9) by 1l, 8 ran.
Danceinthevalley (IRE) 17-2 (8-3) Dwelt and soon prominent, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Along The Nile (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Sasso 9-2fav (9-2) Held up, effort and switched right over 2f out, keeping on when not clear run inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Barbirolli (9-2) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul.
