towards rear, headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, quickened to lead entering final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
soon led, headed over 5f out, soon beaten
always rear division
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
prominent, led over 5f out, headed over 3f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
Nonrunner
The short list in the finale contains Cleaver, Balwearie and Peajay's Dream, with the selection being Cleaver. After promising to deliver earlier in the season, Cleaver came good at Hamilton on good to soft last time and can build on that by running well today. Given that he goes well on soft and is now three pounds below a winning rating, Balwearie has also to be considered. Pea Jay's Dream also comes here on the back of a win but has more to do under his penalty, although this is not a strong contest and he is entitled to go well. Bronze Dancer looks competitively weighted and is not ruled out, while Micky Hammond might well be able to get a tune out of Jidiya from his current mark. Kristiansand has proven in the past that he can go well from his current rating, so he could bag some money, while Melodian is another that could well run into a place. Overall, though, for us Cleaver is the one to beat.
Shape Up (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 10l behind Trouble Mountain (9-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Cleaver 6-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden well over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (6) gs in Sept beating Peas 'n Beans (8-1) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Milton Star (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 8th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Inch Lodge (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sept.
Pee Jay's Dream 11-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led 4f out, ridden and headed 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs beating Sudden Impulse (9-8) by a nk, 17 ran.
Melodian 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra under pressure, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Turn Of Phrase (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sept.
Kristiansand 5-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 8l behind Danzatrice (8-12) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Bronze Dancer (IRE) 10-3fav (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug beating Aspasias Tizzy (8-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Entranced 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 14l behind Baltic Princess (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul.
