held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven entering final furlong, stayed on to wear down leading pair to lead final strides
raced along standside, switched right to join centre group after 2f, held up, headway over 2f out, challenged leader approaching final furlong, driven to lead well inside final furlong, headed final strides
keen, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon one pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 4th towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and joined approaching final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden halfway, lost touch 3f out
There is plenty to recommend FIRST CAT who gets our vote in the finale over Gordon Flash and Leitzu. It could be a good day for Richard Hannon and First Cat looks to have a big chance now that he is back in a nursery handicap. He was far from disgraced at Salisbury last time; he had won well at the same track previously and he looks to have a big chance here. Once again his trainer complicates matter by also sending Gordon Flash to post and he has shown enough in maiden company to suggest that he should be up to winning races. Leitzu could be a bigger threat though as this filly from the Mick Channon yard did make a positive impression when she beat Rose Alba at Chepstow last month. She looks to be going the right way and she has to be on the shortlist today. Lethal Combination hails from a yard in good form but he was well beaten last time at Newcastle and he looks to have a bit to find to make his mark here. There should be more to come from First Cat who looks to have a big chance in this company.
Lethal Combination (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no extra final 2f, 6th of 11, 8l behind Layali Al Andalus (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
First Cat 4-1 (9-2) Held up, kept on from over 1f out, took 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Raine's Cross (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2yo nov stk (4) gs.
Number One Guy 10-1 (9-3) In rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 16l behind Prompter (9-3) at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Leitzu (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Chepstow 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (5) gd in Aug beating Rose Alba (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Brunette (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, never able to challenge, 9th of 12, 14l behind First Cat (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Rose Alba (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, soon outpaced, stayed on strongly approaching final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Leitzu (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (5) gd in Aug.
Rezwaan 14-1 (8-3) Stumbled start, soon in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on, not troubled winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Whippers Love (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Gordon Flash 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Shaayeq (9-3) at Epsom Downs 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs.
Refuse To Tell 33-1 (9-3) With leader, lost place over 2f out, ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 17l behind Shaayeq (9-3) at Epsom Downs 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs.
High Resolution 13-2 (8-5) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Stef And Stelio (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo clm stks (5) pol.
