stumbled start, soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, not much room and lost place over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
held up, switched left and headway 2f out, pressing leaders when edged left 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, no extra
pressed leaders, edged right and strong challenge inside final 2f, rider dropped whip just over 1f out, not quickened towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, no impression
always prominent, led over 2f out, ran on
prominent, weakened over 1f out
held up, raced keenly, not clear run over 2f out, hung left and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
This looks a very tight sprint handicap where Raimond Ridge now looks dangerous at the weights but with his recent efforts remaining under par we'll side with Paul Cole's DESERT STRIKE, who races off his last winning mark while Battle is on form and is just one of a number of dangers. Turned over as favourite in what has turned out to be a hot little contest on his last appearance the selection has had a pound removed from his load returning him to the rating he carried to victory at Great Leighs in January. He's yet to win on turf has gone close a few times and should give his running again. Battle still looks competitively treated after his four pound mark rise for a half length success in a similar race last time and should be going close again. Raimond Ridge is now racing off a mark well below his last winning rating and while his recent form is a little off putting it would be dangerous to rule him out completely and Igoyougo has been on form this season but is looking a little high in the weights. A good contest this for the grade and Desert Strike might just be the best treated.
Lucky Art (USA) 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 5l behind Noodles Blue Boy (9-4) at Newcastle 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Desert Strike 9-4fav (9-3) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 19l behind Mattamia (9-3) at Leicester 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Battle 7-2 (9-6) Race wide held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ridden out, won at Bath 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Raimond Ridge (9-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Corton Charlemagne (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never a factor, 5th of 12, 4l behind Ocean Blaze (9-8) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Igoyougo Evensfav (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Noodles Blue Boy (9-4) at Newcastle 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Raimond Ridge (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Simple Rhythm (8-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Secret Venue 20-1 (8-0) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, 8th of 10, 8l behind Stolt (8-8) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Fasliyanne (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, under pressure halfway, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 10l behind Hawkeyethenoo (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
First Blade 25-1 (9-1) Soon in touch, chased winner over 2f out until inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Blue Noodles (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
