held up toward rear, keeping on one pace on outside, when short of room just inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, headway 2f out, driven and went 2nd over 1f out, no impression
steady to start and always in rear
in touch, ridden and hung right 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden, and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders on the inside, led inside final 2f, ridden out final furlong and ran on well
narrow lead on inside, headed inside final 2f, no impression when lost 2nd over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong and lost 3rd near finish
with leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd near finish
switched right start and held up last, shaken up 2f out, pushed along and stayed on inside final furlong, never near leaders
This looks wide open, with more than half the field having won over course or distance or both, but we'll suggest that COMPTON CLASSIC can land it, while we'd also consider the strong claims of Garstang and Cape of Storms. Jim Boyle's runner is his only one on the card, and although he's not won for a year, he's regularly involved at the finish. He was runner up in a better race here last time out, just a day after struggling when refusing to settle. If his mind's on the job, he can go one better and be in the winners' enclosure. Garstang carries top weight, and races under a six pounds penalty for winning here last week, when defying a high draw over the minimum trip. That was just his second run for current connections, and ended an 18 month run without a win. A repeat can't be ruled out, but nor can the bounce factor. Cape of Storms may be carrying too much for his liking, and all his wins to date have come on the different surface at Southwell. When winning last time out, Garstang was well down the field. It won't be a surprise whatever wins, but we'll chance our arm with Compton Classic.
Garstang 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leader on inside, not clear run over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, ran on well to lead final strides, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Bluebok (9-10) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Hollow Jo 14-1 (9-4) Switched right start, held up, headway into mid-division on outside halfway, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 7l behind What Katie Did (9-8) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Mudhish (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) Hampered soon after start, outpaced in main group, driven 2f out, no impression, last of 10, 15l behind The Magic Blanket (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Colombard (IRE) 28-1 (8-6) Chased leaders to halfway, 12th of 14, 28l behind Kipchak (9-1) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Cape of Storms 7-1 (8-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar beating Ballycroy Boy (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Peopleton Brook 14-1 (8-6) Always in rear group, never a factor, 10th of 15, 6l behind What Katie Did (8-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Compton Classic 8-1 (8-5) Held up 4th, went 2nd to chase clear leader 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, just outpaced by winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Brunelleschi (8-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) in Mar.
Our Blessing (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Led until headed well over 1f out, hanging left, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Musical Script (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Lord Deevert 14-1 (8-6) Held up, always behind, no chance when stumbled inside final 2f, 13th of 15, 8l behind What Katie Did (8-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Desert Pride 18-1 (9-0) Led over 2f, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 10l behind Royal Challenge (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Gold Again (USA) 6-1 (8-12) In touch, effort, hung left 2f out, soon not much room, pushed along, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Motivated Choice (8-12) at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Oct.
Music Box Express 10-1 (8-2) Chased leader, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 5l behind Sarah's Art (8-9) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
