led, headed well over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon raced alone stands side, never on terms
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened 1f out
pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, hard ridden approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, headway halfway, led well over 1f out, hard driven, ran on well
with leader, under pressure halfway, soon lost place
DRIFTING GOLD gets the marginal vote in a trappy opener, with Green Lagonda and Triple Dream both likely to pose a threat. Clive Cox's mare is undeniably well-treated now some 8lbs below her last winning mark. She's a course and distance winner who has had two starts to blow away the cobwebs this term and showed last time that she was approaching something close to peak form, which should see her go close under the talented John Fahy. Green Lagonda may reverse previous form with Triple Dream after only a nose separated them here last time. David Evans' charge looked unlucky when denied a clear run that day and has been dropped a pound in the ratings. He'd looked similarly unfortunate prior to that at Brighton and should go close with a clear, although he's never won a handicap off a mark this high. Triple Dream is still paying the price for winning three times last summer like Green Lagonda will benefit from the likely strong pace and remains one to keep an eye on in this grade, making more appeal than his stablemate The Tatling who is dropping to a decent looking mark but needs everything to drop right. Magical Speedfit rarely threatens to win away from Brighton and that was the case off a pound higher last time so a bigger threat could be Key Light, who drops to the minimum trip and may improve for doing so. This is a tough start to proceedings but Drifting Gold looks poised to go close with plenty in her favour.
Elhamri 10-1 (9-6) Chased leader, ridden and every chance 1f out, held when hampered inside final furlong, soon eased, 9th of 12, 5l behind Royal Intruder (9-3) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Triple Dream 11-2 (8-10) Set steady pace, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Brandywell Boy (8-8) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
The Tatling (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) Behind, some late headway, never on terms, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Brandywell Boy (8-1) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Magical Speedfit (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Held up, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Methaaly (10-0) at Leicester 5f Ladies Handicap (0-70) (3yo+) (5) gf in Jun.
Key Light (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on outside, ridden to challenge 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 6l behind Requisite (9-9) at Kempton 6f fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Green Lagonda (AUS) 33-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, hampered and squeezed out inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong, no threat to leaders, 6th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Desert Poppy (9-2) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Drifting Gold 11-4fav (9-9) Close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Highland Harvest (9-8) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Caledonia Princess 28-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden inside final furlong, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 16l behind Ryedane (9-7) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
Harry Up 17-2 (8-4) Led, headed halfway, chased leader until 1f out, no extra, 10th of 11, 5l behind Lucky Dan (8-12) at Chester 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Simple Rhythm 3-1 (9-9) Led narrowly, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 10l behind Vhujon (9-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
