mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch on outer, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway when not much room on inner over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong
with leader, keen, ridden over 1f out, weakened
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, some headway, not much room entering final furlong, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden and switched to outer 2f out, one pace
chased leaders to halfway
Steel Blue found Cornus just three-quarters of a length too good over course and distance last time and, with the winner that day now under a 6lb penalty for that success, Richard Whitaker's gelding is taken to reverse that form getting the verdict ahead of Tamino. The last mentioned has been running consistently well of late but may just be a shade high in the weights at present so he looks best watched. Similar comments apply to Mick Easterby's Lake Chini, while Funfair Wane is another that has not had a great deal of respite from the handicapper following some consistent performances. Scarlet Oak is going the right way at present but a 6lb penalty for her win at Leicester last time leaves her with more to do and a safer bet looks to be Steel Blue.
Cornus 11-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Steel Blue (9-3) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Morse (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) In touch to over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 9l behind Nouveau (8-13) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Lake Chini (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Double Carpet (8-5) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Steel Blue 5-1fav (9-3) Tracked leader and keen, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Cornus (9-4) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Funfair Wane 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, led stands' side group over 2f out until headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 19, 1/2l behind Princess Ellis (8-12) at York 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
All You Need (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Led for 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Another Genepi (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
After The Show 13-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Cornus (9-4) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Mr Cellophane 11-1 (9-0) Raced alone on far side rail, on terms, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind For Life (8-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
High Reach 10-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 11l behind Double Carpet (8-5) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Strathmore (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, never on terms, 12th of 15, 5l behind Ocean Blaze (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Metal Guru 14-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Scarlet Oak (8-8) at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) sft.
Scarlet Oak 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, won at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) sft beating Overwing (8-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Roman Quest 13-2jt-fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon recovered, chased leaders 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Efisio Princess (8-5) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Patavium Prince (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Raced centre, tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 21l behind Mugeba (8-5) at Newmarket 7f app hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Tamino (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led halfway, headed over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Nouveau (8-13) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Rainbow Bay 11-2 (8-11) Held up, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Desert Master (9-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Exit Strategy (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 7l behind For Life (9-0) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
