held up in touch, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, always doing enough
mid-division, in touch, hampered and lost place over 4f out, in rear after
in rear, headway on inside 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, went 3rd well inside final furlong
led 2f, prominent, disputed lead over 4f out, hung right and lost 2nd 2f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, led after 2f, headed over 4f out, weakened 3f out
soon prominent, weakened over 4f out, eased over 2f out, tailed off
ducked as stalls opened, went left and started slowly, held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent until ridden and weakened over 3f out
Nonrunner
Lemon Silk is interesting but OPERA WRITER has stronger claims whilst Desert Hawk may fare best of the remainder. This does appear to be competitive but Opera Writer has solid claims under his penalty and is a worthy pick in the finale. Reg Hollinshead's charge ran on strongly to win an amateur rider's contest here last time and has most of his claim negated by Probert who is cracking value for his 5lbs. Lemon Silk had been in action over hurdles this summer so shouldn't have lacked for fitness on his return to racing on the level but he may still be able to improve a little on that Folkestone performance. He's on a fair mark on the best of his form and is with the right yard to exploit it. Desert Hawk is a solid performer at this grade and comes into the race in decent form. He went close at Chester on his penultimate start before failing to last home in soft ground last time. He could make the frame if the conditions remain on the fast side but he may struggle to get the better of Opera Writer.
Opera Writer (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) In touch, went 2nd over 3f out, carried head high from and led well over 1f out, ridden out, won at Warwick 1m 3f amt hcp (6) gd in Sept beating Under Fire (10-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 13-2 (8-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Salute (8-10) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
Corrib (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, headway 3f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Zalkani (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Good Effect (USA) 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leader to over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 7l behind Miss Serena (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Sleepy Mountain 33-1 (9-2) Tracked leader and keen, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 4th of 11, 4l behind Zalkani (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Fantasy Ride 25-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 7f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 14l behind Lindy Lou (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gd in Sept.
Desert Hawk 13-2 (10-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Fort Churchill (11-2) at Goodwood 1m 3f amt hcp (5) sft in Sept.
Jenny Soba 10-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, every chance 2f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Surprise Pension (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (6) sft in Sept.
Prima Ballerina 40-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 19l behind Syvilla (8-12) at Bath 1m 4f mdn fll (5) sft in Sept.
Royal Premier (IRE) 22-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 17l behind Lindy Lou (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gd in Sept.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Right Stuff (10-1) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Jackie Kiely 14-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 14l behind Kimono My House (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f app hcp (5) hvy in Sept.
Moon Mix (FR) 33-1 (8-13) Pulled hard mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 14th of 15, 23l behind Lindy Lou (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gd in Sept.
