always behind
tracked leaders, ridden and led over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
led for 5f, edged left and weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reached leaders
in touch, joined leaders 2f out, ridden to lead and edged right inside final furlong, ran on
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and one pace from over 1f out
steadied start, soon switched left, always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, soon headed, held when short of room inside final furlong
mid-division, headway and not clear run 2f out and again approaching final furlong, stayed on close home
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance from 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader 5f
Previous course and distance winner Councellor can come good again and is selected ahead of Pine Bay and Bessemer, while Big Bradford and Franksalot are also bubbling under on the shortlist. Franksalot is another with a fair record at this track and can represent good value for each-way punters. However, as eight previous visits have failed to produce a win he needs everything to fall into place for him. Big Bradford and Pine Bay come into the race with solid recent form. Still, they are creeping up the weights without wining and, as their limitations have been well and truly exposed, others may have their measure. And on this occasion we turn to the improving three-year-old Councellor, whose proven ability at this course will always be a valuable tool. A draw on the inside rail is also a big plus for this colt who likes to race handily in his races. Dane O'Neill has, so far, been the only man to get the best out of Councellor and the partnership are fancied to be the ones to be on in the finale.
Pine Bay 11-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Adantino (8-9) at Windsor 6f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Big Bradford 9-1 (9-2) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Warden Warren (8-3) at Leicester 7f hcp (5) gf.
Hazewind 9-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 3f out, hampered when weakening over 1f out, 15th of 18, 18l behind Neon Blue (8-3) at York 7f hcp (5) gf.
Bessemer (JPN) 7-1 (9-8) Steadied start, held up, switched left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Kabis Amigos (9-0) at Ripon 1m clm (5) gf in Aug.
Councellor (FR) 7-1 (8-8) In touch stand's side, ridden 2f out, kept on well under hands and heels final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Ocean Gift (8-13) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Franksalot (IRE) 9-1 (8-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Pango (8-13) at Epsom 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Stevedore (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Cayman Breeze (8-11) at Brighton 7f clm (6) frm in Aug.
Summer Recluse (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Prince Cyrano (8-13) at Warwick 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
