chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong
always behind
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon beaten
mid-division, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, headway and effort over 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Red Opera, Empangeni and Celtic Carisma are the three for the shortlist here and the vote is given to Red Opera. The selection was a fair fourth behind Typhoon Tilly at Redcar last time but this step-up in trip will play to his strengths and with conditions to suit he should prove difficult to beat. Empangeni is a thorough stayer so he is another that should relish the step-up to 2m. He won well last time at Catterick when beating Spitting Image and although he is steadily rising in the weights he does look progressive. Celtic Carisma won over this course and distance last time when defeating Alghaazy and this lightly-raced filly still looks to be improving. She is another who will relish every yard of this trip and she is respected as a live danger to our selection. Taxman has a pull in the weights with our selection from their latest meeting, but he looks thoroughly exposed and we are happy to return to Red Opera.
Duroob 10-1 (8-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 20l behind Lets Roll (9-2) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (4) gd.
Empangeni 7-4fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on, won at Catterick 2m hcp (6) gd beating Spitting Image (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Red Opera 8-15fav (8-10) Tracked leader, driven to lead 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Typhoon Tilly (9-8) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) gd.
Our Choice (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Chased leader, led 2f out, driven out, won at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf beating Dilala (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Whoopsie 9-1 (8-4) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Empangeni (9-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (6) gd.
Lodgician (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Zalimar (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Taxman (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, one pace and no chance with winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Red Opera (9-0) at Catterick 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Celtic Carisma 13-8fav (7-12) Held up, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) gf beating Alghaazy (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
