keen, mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
behind, effort when not clear run well over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression
behind, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on
held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd post
led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
always towards rear
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, not clear run 2f out, switched right, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon edged left, ran on
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out
Nonrunner
The vote here goes to Breaking Shadow ahead of Vanadium and Looks Could Kill. Breaking Shadow got back to winning ways last time and is still on a winning mark based on the best of his 2005 form. Due to go up by a further three pounds in the ratings after this contest, his chance is there for all to see. Vanadium came back to form with a Newcastle win last time and is still arguably well-treated even under a penalty. He is respected. Looks Could Kill has been hinting at a return to his best and is on a good mark if it happens, while Saxon Lil is another to be running with a chance under a penalty. Logsdail can be given a shout on form, although he lacks soft-ground history, High Voltage seems to have lost his way a little, Harvest Warrior needs to turn back the clock if he is to score, as has Word Perfect, but Zhitomir has dropped to a competitive mark and California Laws has suggested of late that he is improving, so the latter two could go well. With the bottom two racing from out of the weights, albeit marginally, we return to the selection, which is Breaking Shadow.
Vanadium 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, headway 2f out, led just inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (4) gs in Aug beating Riquewihr (9-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Looks Could Kill (USA) 28-1 (9-5) Switched left soon after start, outpaced, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 5l behind Inter Vision (9-11) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up, headway on outer over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Saxon Lil (9-7) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Logsdail 5-2fav (9-12) In touch, effort and headway on inside 2f out, hampered over 1f out, not recover, 9th of 10, 5l behind Taranaki (8-10) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
High Voltage 11-2 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out and every chance, kept on until no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Oeuf A La Neige (8-7) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Harvest Warrior 12-1 (8-12) Slowly away, behind, ridden halfway, switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 15, 4l behind Barons Spy (8-6) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Zhitomir 9-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 10, 2l behind Oeuf A La Neige (8-7) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Word Perfect 12-1 (9-2) Mid-division, effort when outpaced over 2f out, staying on towards finish, 5th of 9, 13l behind Lady Disdain (8-8) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
California Laws 7-2fav (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Motu (9-4) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug.
Wizard of Us 18-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 15, nk behind Jewel of India (11-2) at Beverley 1m amt hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Saxon Lil (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out, won at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug beating Breaking Shadow (9-4) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Dancing Deano (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 5l behind Marmooq (8-11) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol.
