tracked leaders 2f, mid-division, weakened over 4f out
soon pushed along, not much room after 1f, progressed to lead after 4f, headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, steady headway 7f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, led over 4f out, soon headed, remained handy, one pace final furlong
in touch, led over 2f out, soon edged left, headed 1f out, regained lead final 75 yards
led, headed after 4f, remained prominent until weakened over 3f out
held up, pushed wide after 1f, progressed to track leaders after 3f, led 4f out until over 2f out, soon squeezed out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
handy 2f, mid-division, headway 3f out, took narrow lead 1f out, headed final 75 yards
in rear, headway on outside 3f out, went 3rd 1f out, not pace of front pair
slowly away, behind, headway on outside over 1f out, never nearer
PRELUDE is the selection in the finale with Sand Repeal and Opera Writer the ones to give her most to think about. Mark Brisbourne arrives characteristically mobhanded to this contest and with son, Ben, in the plate, we'll chance that the mare is the pick of the quartet. In fairness though, her form around this circuit is fairly solid as she has obliged four times over this course and distance. Sand Repeal appears to go particularly well for today's pilot. He has ability when consenting to use it and will need to do so from a car park draw. Opera Writer is tried again in cheekpieces. His rider probably gave him a bit too much to do when last partnering the gelding at Warwick and it is to be hoped that he can be a bit more enterpising here. Tom Tate's runners are going well so don't be surprised to see money for Elk Trail. Similar comments apply to Spanish Diva, who although a maiden, commands utmost respect from the Stuart Williams yard. Baltimore Jack was tried under front-running tactics last time out and the former sprinter steps up in trip again. Prelude can pay out the punters in the finale.
Woodcraft 4-1fav (8-6) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Shela House (8-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Prelude 12-1 (9-8) Held up and keen, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, well behind Dzesmin (9-7) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Spanish Diva 5-2fav (9-7) Held up, headway on outside over 3f out, keeping on under pressure and hanging left from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 2l behind Gracechurch (9-4) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Elk Trail (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Chased winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 8l behind Snowed Under (9-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, pressed final furlong, kept on, won at Windsor 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gs beating Spanish Diva (10-13) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Baltimore Jack (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Boy Dancer (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Opera Writer (IRE) 6-1 (8-2) Keen, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Channel Crossing (8-6) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Thorny Mandate 10-3 (8-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and beaten, 6th of 8, 14l behind Alonso de Guzman (9-10) at Haydock 1m 6f app hcp (5) gs.
Desert Hawk 5-2jt-fav (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 6l behind Hallings Overture (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
York Cliff 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division, reminders over 5f out, soon beaten, last of 10, 22l behind Elite Land (10-6) at Catterick 1m 4f amt hcp (5) gs.
Chapter (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Itsy Bitsy (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf in Jul.
