dwelt and was held up towards rear, headway on inner over 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong
held up, ridden along and headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, effort over 3f out, was soon behind, eased final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, effort when outpaced 2f out, driven and stayed on towards finish
The return to 1m 2f looks a plus for Magic Echo, who can take this handicap ahead of Kingsdale Orion. The Michael Dods-trained selection has c&d winning form, also with cut in the ground, so the recent rains won't inconvenience. She won as she liked at Doncaster over this trip in June and was found out by a 9lb rise and perhaps both trip and tactics at Hamilton last time. Still unexposed over 10f she can return to winning ways. Kingsdale Orion also acts with cut and is in decent form. However, this trip may be stretching his stamina a bit far so we will oppose. Tufton is on good terms with himself after wins at Haydock and Redcar, but he will find this a fair bit tougher and looks worth taking on. Leicester scorer Snowed Under reserves his best for that track, but also two c&d wins here, though a 6lb rise means he needs a career best to take this. Vicious Warrior is well handicapped on his best form and loves to get his toe in, so a return to form is not ruled out, while Ella Woodcock is also respected, but preference here is for Magic Echo.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 9-2fav (9-11) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression until stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 5l behind Blue Spinnaker (8-8) at York 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Jul.
Kings Quay 12-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, driven and effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 17, 26l behind Granston (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
William Blake 16-1 (8-10) Chased leaders on inside, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 13, 9l behind Love Galore (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Tufton 9-4fav (9-12) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Redcar 1m 2f clm (6) gf in Jul beating Little Jimbob (9-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Vicious Warrior 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Nine Stories (9-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Motafarred (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Prominent, driven to lead and hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Major Magpie (9-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Magic Echo 4-1 (8-9) Tracked winner, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Flying Clarets (9-0) at Hamilton 1m fll stk (3) gd in Jun.
Snowed Under 6-1 (9-8) Made all, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, stayed on strongly and always holding rival, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in Jul beating Soviet (7-13) by a nk, 7 ran.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Demolition (9-2) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
