pressed leader, hardridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
cocked jaw, awkward and wide on 1st turn, always in rear
chased leaders on outside, hardridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in mid-division on inner, switched left and good headway approaching final 1f, quickened between horses to lead final 100 yards, won going away
mid-division on outside, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along 2f out, soon one pace
switched right to inside, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, never going pace to get competitive
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on well until headed and outpaced by winner final 100yds
outpaced in rear, driven on outside and struggling over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace of winner
OCEAN BLAZE's form reads well and Rod Millman's mare is fancied to see off a strong challenge from Misaro, Royal Intruder and Lochstar in what looks a decent handicap. The selection had a profitable September, winning twice in the space of a week. She then followed that up with two average runs off her new mark but now able to race off 3lb lower mark, the feeling is that we should see a better performance. She is well-drawn, has five wins over this trip to her name and she should run well. Misaro was a deserved winner at Wolverhampton last time out but a 5lb loftier perch makes life harder, so of more interest may be Even Bolder who only has 3/4 of a length to find with the selection on their Newmarket run. Our Piccadilly also has some form with the selection, having been beaten a length by her at Goodwood, whilst Chjimes is a consistent sprinter who is gradually edging down to an attractive mark. Sir Edwin Landseer hasn't been with Gary Moore for long; he has been beaten a total of 49 lengths on his last two starts and is visored today for the first time, however the handicapper must smell a rat as he has only dropped him by 2lbs for both of those runs. Good Gorsoon is likely to struggle off this revised mark for some time, whilst Lochstar is a well-related gelding whose all-weather form reads well and he might appreciate a return to an artificial surface. Royal Intruder is a hold-up horse who gets on fantastically well with Richard Hughes; he continues to rise up the handicap but for good reason and cannot be underestimated although this track may not suit as much. Not an easy race for punters, however we are happy to side with Ocean Blaze.
Lochstar 6-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 10l behind Sonny Red (9-4) at Ascot 5f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.
Good Gorsoon (USA) 6-1 (8-9) Awkward leaving stalls, pulled very hard, held up, pushed along and beaten 2f out, last of 10, 10l behind Lemon N Sugar (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Sir Edwin Landseer (USA) 40-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 12, 24l behind Jaconet (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sep.
Royal Intruder 5-1 (9-1) Held up on inner, good headway and switched left entering final 1f, quickened up well to lead towards finish, won at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep beating Triple Dream (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
The Jobber (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) Raced stands side, chased leader, until ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 14th of 18, 9l behind Russian Spirit (9-2) at York 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Chjimes (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Outpaced in rear, ran on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Lucky Leigh (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Our Piccadilly (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Behind, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Lucky Leigh (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Ocean Blaze 12-1 (9-3) Raced stands side, led that group, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with centre group, 6th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Russian Spirit (9-2) at York 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Misaro (GER) 6-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards, readily, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Bookiesindex Boy (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Step It Up (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Step It Up (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Brandywell Boy (8-13) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
