steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, every chance final hundred yards when hung right and kept on
towards rear, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
slowly into stride, ridden to soon chase leaders, led over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders
towards rear, headway when switched right to chase leaders over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace
slowly into stride, switched left soon after, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, edged right towards finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
slowly into stride, pulled hard, soon tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
went right start, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, unable to quicken towards finish
This is a typically competitive renewal of this popular contest. We'll be siding with Witchry although Grey Boy has obvious claims and Our Fugitive appears to be peaking at the right time. Certain Justice was beaten a short-head last year with Grey Boy a further one and a quarter lengths back in third with Star Strider and Pic Up Sticks others to try their hand again. Certain Justice is on the same mark and went into last year's race on the back of a similar absence; he merits respect. Grey Boy is 3lbs lower this time around despite being raised by 10lbs for his win on firm ground at Lingfield. Tony Carroll clearly has him in rude health and he has run well enough on good to soft, albeit without winning, to think that he'll go very close from what may turn out to be a favourable draw. Our Fugitive also appears to be finding his form at the right time and he just loves to get his toe in. He doesn't win very often but is handicapped to do so and should be in the firing line from the off and he has the rail to help. The selection is drawn on the other side of the track and represents the masterful Devonian Tony Newcombe who won this race in 2004 and 5. Witchry won over this trip for the first time in May at Chepstow on soft ground so conditions here should hold no fears for him. He ran a couple of solid races in better company on quicker ground after that but should be more at home in this company. Tony Newcombe has the right man on board in John Egan and he can steer Witchry across the line in first place.
Zowington 16-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden and edged left 2f out, edged right over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 10, 7l behind Resplendent Alpha (8-7) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Mogok Ruby 20-1 (9-7) Always in rear, beaten when eased final furlong, last of 11, 26l behind Dvinsky (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jul.
Secret Night 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden to lead just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 20, 2l behind Golden Desert (10-4) at Ascot 7f ldy rds hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) With leader, badly hampered when weakening over 1f out and eased, last of 9, 14l behind Misaro (9-10) at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Leading Edge (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along halfway, soon struggling, 8th of 9, 7l behind Perfect Flight (8-8) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft.
Certain Justice (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division on outside, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Support Fund (8-9) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Grey Boy (GER) 7-2fav (9-1) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 2f out, led 1f out, drew clear final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m hcap (6) gf in Jul beating Hollywood George (8-13) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Pic Up Sticks 8-1 (9-8) Reared start, held up in rear, not clear run 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Kelamon (9-4) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Witchry 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Makshoof (9-10) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Star Strider 8-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway 3f out, switched right to wide outside over 2f out, running on under pressure, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Lopinot (9-3) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Sands of Barra (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind No Grouse (9-9) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Our Fugitive (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Led until headed over 1f out, stayed pressing leader, kept on to regain 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Tubby Isaacs (9-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Finsbury 16-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 11l behind Isphahan (9-0) at Salisbury 7f hcp 0-65 (6) frm in Jun.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Slowly away, carried wide into straight, always behind, 12th of 13, 25l behind Faithful Ruler (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Walragnek 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 10l behind Jayanjay (9-0) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Charlotte Grey 10-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind By The Edge (8-12) at Beverley 5f fll hcp (5) sft.
