with leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
behind, blundered 4th, outpaced after 3 out
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, led last, all out
soon with leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, just held towards finish
held up, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, chased leaders 3rd, ridden and hampered after 3 out, soon outpaced
held up, tracked leaders approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, reminders after 4th, rallied approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last
Boomtown is our selection with Gulf Coast and Colorado Blue as the alternatives. Rated in the mid-80's when with Mark Johnston, Boomtown readily stayed a mile on the flat and arguably should have won more races than he did on the level. It is of slight concern that we haven't seen him out this summer but Heather Dalton is likely to have him fit enough first time out. Gulf Coast has been kept busy on the flat this term. He seems effective enough on any going and the distance realistically shouldn't present too many problems. Colorado Blue was disappointing when with Roger Charlton. His first run for Charlie Longsdon suggested that he might be capable of finding his feet at this level. Graze On and On has little in the book to recommend him but John Quinn's hurdlers are always noteworthy at this track. Harrison's Star was put in his place by St Leger participant, Maidstone Mixture, at Cartmel. Resolute Defender is related to a number of middle distance types so it was no surprise to see him cut little ice as a sprint handicapper. Top Man Dan was a maiden on the level but did at least demonstrare form on quick going. Force And Motion showed little for Ger Lyons and looks up against it on his British debut. Victorias was sent off at 100/1 on his hurdling debut. He finished fourth at Market Rasen but realistically it would be disappointing were there nothing to improve past him. The market will tell us plenty but we stick with Boomtown.
Boomtown 2-7fav (9-6) Held up, headway to track leaders after 2f, led over 2f out, stumbled over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Tiger's Rocket (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (5) pol in Jan (Flat).
Colorado Blue (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, beaten when hit last, 2nd of 11, 18l behind Woolfall Treasure (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Force And Motion (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Very slowly into stride, always behind, eased 2f out, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Hotspur (8-7) at Fairyhouse 1m 1f hcp 0-65 gd in Jul (Flat).
Gulf Coast 9-4 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 11l behind Red Fama (9-4) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug (Flat).
Harrison's Star 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, soon ridden and lost place, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Maidstone Mixture (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Resolute Defender (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division on outside, driven over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 14, 8l behind Distant Pleasure (8-11) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug (Flat).
Rock Me (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, always behind, 6th of 11, 42l behind Woolfall Treasure (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Top Man Dan (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Banquet (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug (Flat).
Graze On And On 16-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 4th, tailed off 3 out, 5th of 12, 44l behind Akarshan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jul.
Victorias 100-1 (10-5) Held up, mistake 4th, outpaced 5th, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 15, 21l behind Ostinata (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Arabian Fern 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 8, well behind Patio (9-0) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) gf in Sept '07 (Flat).
Halton Castle 80-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, last of 8, 20l behind Deep Winter (9-8) at Hamilton 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul (Flat).
