in touch uintil ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders until weakened over 3f out
ridden in rear 4f out, never dangerous after
held up in mid-division, headway 3f out to chase easy winner 2f out, until inside final furlong, one pace under pressure
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
held up, headway 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders until weakened 2f out
chased leader, driven along 3f out, soon lost place
slowly into stride, held up, driven along 3f out, never nearer
always behind
slowly into stride, held up in rear, stayed on final furlong
pulled hard, led to over 2f out, weakened quickly inside final 2f
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
A chance is taken with Perfidious in the finale with Prime Powered, Easy Laughter and the relatively unexposed Trew Class forwarded as those expected to throw down the strongest challenges from the rest. Trew Class gets in here off a fair mark for his handicap debut and, with his three-year-old's weight-for-age allowance doing him no harm, he could be the surprise package of the race if he takes to the surface. There is no reason to suspect he won't handle the track and he is worth monitoring closely in the betting market. Easy Laughter has bits and pieces of form that suggest he can get into the argument and is expected to improve for the step up in trip. He is closely matched with Oldenway and should give each-way backers a good run for the money if his stamina holds out. Prime Powered has been in good form of late and will be a popular choice after his course and distance win from earlier in the month. However, he is now 5lb higher in the ratings and has more on his plate against some of these seasoned all weather campaigners. With none making more than Perfidious, who acts well on the course, stays the trip very well and far fewer questions to answer than the majority of his rivals.
Duelling Banjos 8-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 13, 6l behind Parnassian (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy.
Prime Powered (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Always prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, held on near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol beating Countrywide Luck (11-4) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Easy Laughter (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Mid-division, effort over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Desert Leader (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Hawkit (USA) 7-2 (9-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Bessemer (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm (5) gf in Jul.
Oldenway 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Desert Leader (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Perfidious (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Casual Glance (8-2) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Sri Lipis 25-1 (9-0) Pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Stargazer Jim (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol.
Trew Style 3-1jt-fav (8-11) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 4f out, no impression from over 2f out, 5th of 15, 18l behind Gifted Musician (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) sft.
