held up, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, never on terms
held up mid-division, pulled hard, weakened over 2f out
in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon beaten
held up mid-division, switched left over 1f out, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, never dangerous
held up, switched right and headway halfway, kept on well final furlong, never nearer
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out
in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace
always behind
held up, never dangerous
led until over 2f out, soon faded
behind, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, hung left, ran on
prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
In the finale, Birkside is selcted ahead of Woolly Bully and The Osteopath. Birkside has caught the eye on more than one occasion this season, his mark of 74 seems to understate his ability, we feel, and he is going to win one of these races sooner rather than later, and today could be that day. Woolly Bully suggested last time that a drop back to a mile should suit, and he gets that today, and, due to go up two pounds in future ratings, is one of Birkside's opponents that can go well. The Osteopath's best efforts have come when there is plenty of juice in the going and he should go well if back to his best. Stormy Monday is another that goes well on soft and comes here in good heart, while Vacation is another that is due to go up by two pounds in the weights following a good soft-ground run and he is not without a chance. Of the others, Kavachi and Bucharest, who got back to winning ways last time, Al Rayanah, who should appreciate the step up to a mile today, and Murrumbidgee, if he gets back to his best form, look the most interesting, but the vote stays with Birkside.
Birkside 8-1 (8-7) In touch, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 16, 1l behind Brief Goodbye (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Woolly Bully 5-2fav (8-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Baskerville (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) sft.
Sir Douglas 25-1 (8-12) Held up, never on terms, 7th of 12, 7l behind Cape of Luck (9-7) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Jebel Ali (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind dhtrs Go Figure (9-4) & Tommy Toogood (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
The Osteopath (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 14l behind Chief Scout (9-7) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy.
Stormy Monday 11-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Rowan Lodge (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) sft.
Mataram (USA) 3-1fav (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, led just inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept beating Grimes Faith (9-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
Vacation (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Pure Imagination (8-12) at Nottingham 1m app hcp (5) sft.
Conrad 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Compromiznotension (8-6) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (4) gs.
Kavachi (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 7l behind Resplendent Nova (9-1) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Greytown 7-1 (8-12) Led over 7f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Escape Clause (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol.
Prince of Love (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Keen, held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 16, 14l behind Fabrian (9-6) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Apache Nation (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden half way, every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 8l behind Pure Imagination (8-12) at Nottingham 1m app hcp (5) sft.
Debord (FR) 25-1 (8-6) Always behind, 12th of 13, 21l behind Mataram (8-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Thomas of Bathwick 66-1 (9-1) Led 2f, tracked leader afterwards until weakened rapidly over 3f out, last of 13, 22l behind Cantabilly (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Bucharest 16-1 (8-7) Led early, tracked leaders, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, driven out, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug beating Joshua's Gold (9-4) by 2l, 10 ran.
Al Rayanah 8-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Gracie's Gift (8-12) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Pleasing 7-1 (8-13) Raced wide, held up, headway towards stand rail over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Border Edge (8-9) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Wassfa 22-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 13l behind Cantabilly (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Murrumbidgee (IRE) 5-1fav (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 16, 6l behind Bank On Benny (8-8) at Salisbury 1m app hcp (6) gd in Sept.
