hampered at start and towards rear, ridden along and headway over 1 out, was one pace until weakened inside final furlong
hampered at start and behind, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, never reached challenging position
jumped left at start and in touch, ridden along over 2f out, had every chance approaching final furlong, no etxra inside
towards rear, driven and headway over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong
hampered at start and always behind
chased leaders, ridden along half way, weakened inside final furlong
jumped right at start and soon led, ridden along halfway, was headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
hampered at start and towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden along halfway, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, driven over 1f out, soon weakened
A decent contest here where the short list includes Fantasy Believer, Invincible Force, Orientor and Chief Editor and Fantasy Believer gets the nod. The nine-year-old Fantasy Believer has been around the block a few times and is a regular winner at five, six and seven furlongs, who handles cut. He has won off a fair bit higher than this and can usually be relied upon to give his maximum effort, and that is good enough for us here. Invincible Force is a decent sort who was last seen out winning a similar sort of race at The Curragh. A first time visor is applied here, which may help to offset some of the 6lb penalty he received for that win, but the ground looks to be his biggest concern. Orientor represents Jim Goldie and is a standing dish in this sort of contest, though winning has proved difficult with him. He is now fully 15lb below his last winning mark, and he handles cut, but he is clearly not as good as he was then and although not totally ruled out we will give him the swerve here. Chief Editor is very lightly raced and open to further improvement, but he hasn't been seen out for over a year and so there are some fitness fears to allay. Mecca's Mate and Obstructive look held by the handicapper now, and Fantasy Believer is the one for us.
Mecca's Mate 50-1 (8-10) Chased leaders stands side, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 26th of 28, 12l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs.
Fantasy Believer 13-2 (8-13) In touch stands side group, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 21, 5l behind Fullandby (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcap (2) gf.
Invincible Force (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, 6th 1 1/2f out, 5th and ridden to challenge over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, all out to hold on near finish, won at Curragh 5f prm hcp gf beating Mist And Stone (8-9) by a hd, 11 ran.
Green Park (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Behind far side group, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace, 15th of 26, 11l behind Utmost Respect (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) sft.
Oldjoesaid 10-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, driven 2f out soon weakened, 14th of 15, 6l behind Indian Trail (8-13) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Obstructive 11-2 (9-0) Always towards rear, 19th of 20, 15l behind Marozi (8-7) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Orientor 50-1 (8-9) Held up far side, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 17th of 28, 6l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs.
Chief Editor 11-4 (9-0) Tracked winner, every chance 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Sonny Red (9-0) at Goodwood 5f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in May '06.
Northern Empire (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Chased leaders far side group, no extra final furlong, 17th of 26, 12l behind Utmost Respect (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) sft.
Efistorm 2-1fav (9-5) Raced centre, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug beating Coconut Moon (8-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) With leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Joyeaux (8-0) at Hamilton 5f hcap (4) gd.
Blazing Heights 25-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up and keen far side group, no impression, 18th of 26, 12l behind Utmost Respect (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) sft.
