raced keenly in mid-division, pushed along 2f out, no impression when not much room over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up and behind, headway 2f out, not clear run over 1f out and inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish
slowly into stride and hampered start, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
raced keenly towards rear, outpaced 2f out, never dangerous
went left start, chased leaders, driven and lost place 2f out, soon weakened
went right start, held up and behind, headway when not clear run over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, not reach winner
tracked leaders, switched outside over 1f out, ran on well to lead final 100 yards, driven out
chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, outpaced halfway, soon ridden and beaten
led 1f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
This is a very competitive sprint handicap to get us under way on Northumberland Plate day, and the three to look at carefully here are Indian Maiden, Beckermet, and Soldier's Tale, with preference for Soldier¿s Tale. Indian Maiden comes here in terrific heart, having had a good summer. She has won three of her last six starts and won a Listed contest for fillies at Haydock last time. She must go close but meets tough opposition here. Beckermet was unlucky to meet Iffraaj in the Wokingham and in any other year would have been a decisive winner of the handicap. He comes here in top form and will go well provided there is no significant rainfall. Soldier¿s Tale won at York by a short head from Fonthill Road on his only start so far this season and appears unexposed with lots of further improvement in him. In contrast to Beckermet, any rain would be in his favour, and with the stable flying at the moment, Soldier¿s Tale gets the vote.
Pivotal Point (9-0) Never going pace, 13th of 14, 19l behind Silent Witness (9-0) at Sha Tin 5f Grp 1 gf in Dec.
Bahamian Pirate (USA) 20-1 (9-11) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 15, 9l behind Var (9-11) at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
Corridor Creeper (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Pressed winner throughout, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Fire Up The Band (9-9) at Epsom 5f hcp (2) gd.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind Chineur (9-2) at York 5f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Patavellian (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Raced keenly, held up, effort on outer over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Baltic King (9-1) at Windsor 6f lst stk (1) gf in May.
Quito (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up, never troubled leaders, 9th of 15, 9l behind Cape Of Good Hope (9-4) at York 6f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Soldier's Tale (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Held up, switched right to stands' side over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead post, won at York 6f hcp (2) gs in May beating Fonthill Road (8-6) by a shd, 19 ran.
Steenberg (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind The Kiddykid (9-2) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Indian Maiden (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up and keen, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon quickened clear, won at Haydock 6f lst fll stk (1) gd beating Slip Dance (8-6) by 3l, 10 ran.
Beckermet (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) In touch stand side, pushed along halfway, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Iffraaj (9-6) at York 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf.
Obe Gold 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 21, 15l behind Proclamation (8-13) at York 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf.
Tournedos (IRE) 100-1 (8-10) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 8l behind Chineur (9-2) at York 5f Grp 2 (1) gf.
