slowly into stride, held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, held when bumped approaching final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakening when edged left approaching final furlong
keen, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression
keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f
slowly into stride, always in rear
always in rear
STIRLING CASTLE makes a degree of appeal in this contest with Proclaim and Highland Storm amongst others of interest. Mark Wallace will be keen to finish his career in the Northern Hemisphere on a high and Stirling Castle looks capable of providing him with another winner this afternoon. The step back up to a mile looks sure to suit this colt who got going too late at Newmarket last time in a fair contest and the handicapper has also been kind enough to drop his mark by a couple of pounds. He has shown a consistent level of form and should be in the mix. Excuses can be made for Proclaim's performance at Newbury and he could bounce back whilst Highland Storm's quick reappearance suggests that nothing has come to light following a poor showing at Doncaster; he had previously won a competitive race well. Rafiqa is another that needs to leave a poor run behind whilst more is required from Woolston Ferry over this longer trip. There may be more to come from Who Art Thou and Lady Kalamalka but the market should provide a fair indicator to their chances and the solid claims of Stirling Castle win our vote.
Stirling Castle 14-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, staying on same pace when hampered inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 3l behind Gal Aloud (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Proclaim 5-1jt-fav (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Kingswinford (7-11) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Highland Storm 10-1 (9-2) Mid-divison, ridden halfway, never dangerous, last of 16, 17l behind Battle of Hastings (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (2) sft.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, strongly pressed throughout final furlong, held on gamely, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug beating Striding Edge (8-12) by a hd, 12 ran.
Rafiqa (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, soon lost place, 14th of 16, 20l behind Swift Chap (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Andhaar 3-1 (9-3) Pressed leader, led 4f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 9l behind Al Sabaheya (8-12) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gs in Aug.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Perfect Pride (8-8) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Aug.
Mymateeric 33-1 (9-5) Behind, shaken up over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Count Paris (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Lake Kalamalka (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 17, 7l behind Anice Stellato (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Aug.
Who Art Thou (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 19l behind Elnawin (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
