mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, driven and headway 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, rider dropped whip inside final furlong, driven and kept on towards finish
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
steady start, held up and behind, driven and headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
led early, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no impression final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
Tomasino lost no caste in defeat over 1m6f at Newcastle on Monday and should not be inconvenienced by the return to this trip but Keith Reveley's gelding does not win very often and a safer bet looks to be the progressive McEldowney, who is preferred to Torrid Kentavr. The selection comes here on a four timer following handicap wins at Hamilton (twice) and, most recently, Bath. While a 4lb rise for the latest success leaves the son of Zafonic with more to do, there is no doubting that the three-year-old is on top of his game right now and he can make it four on the bounce. Kevin Ryan's Dune Raider has a handy pull in the weights with the selection on their running at Hamilton last week and has to be respected but the Johnston horse seemed to win with more in hand than the margin that day would suggest. Mick Easterby's Sporting Gesture would not have been suited by the ground at York last time and may do better back on a faster surface today, while Villarrica is entitled to respect but was well held on her debut in this grade last time and is difficult to back with any real confidence. Apsara warrants respect with the stable of George Moore in good form but a bigger threat is likely to come from the consistent Torrid Kentavr, who should again be thereabouts. McEldowney is in great form at the moment though and is taken to score again.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Always behind, 13th of 14, 25l behind Stretton (9-1) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (C) gs in Aug '04.
Sporting Gesture 9-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 14l behind Idealistic (10-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Dune Raider (USA) 7-2 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind McEldowney (8-1) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Torrid Kentavr (USA) 15-8fav (9-12) Held up, pushed along, headway over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Oldenway (9-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Tomasino 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenged entering final furlong, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Marias Magic (10-0) at Newcastle 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Apsara 25-1 (9-10) Very slowly away, behind, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Paparaazi (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
McEldowney 15-8fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led approaching final furlong, edged left but ran on, won at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Aug beating Key Time (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Night Sight (USA) 11-1 (8-10) Held up, headway 6f out, stayed on final 2f, not reach leaders, 6th of 9, 6l behind Numero Due (8-5) at Thirsk 2m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Villarrica (USA) 4-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, driven 4f out, beaten 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 8l behind Sea Wall (9-5) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) frm in Aug.
Bowled Out (GER) 7-1 (7-13) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd and hung left over 1f out, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Queen Tomyra (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol in Aug.
