chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, eased over 1f out, virtually pulled up
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked winner, under pressure approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, hard driven to challenge over 1f out, no chance with winner
in touch, soon lost place, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never on terms
in touch, lost place over 2f out
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, some late headway, never nearer
made all, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well
always behind
started very slowly, behind, never dangerous
This would appear to be a decent opportunity for GIFT HORSE although we're fearful of Bazguy, Doctor Hilary and Ivory Silk. The formerly smart sprinter is still capable of running up to a decent level of form as he showed when chasing home Main Aim at Doncaster on his penultimate start but he remains without a win since July 2005. David Nicholls has successfully restored confidence in his horses in the past by finding them winning opportunities in claiming company and he appears to have done that here for Gift Horse. The selection was unfortunate to bump into Final Verse in this grade over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton last time but can go one better back over his optimum trip. Doctor Hilary didn't impress with his head carriage last time but he's in form and has a top jockey aboard who may be able to nurse him home; he simply can't be left out of calculations whilst Bazguy has a course and distance win in this grade to his name already which makes him a factor to be reckoned with despite a seemingly stiff task at the weights. Ivory Silk won a poor but dramatic maiden over course and distance on her penultimate start and has followed that up with a fair performance back in handicap company which suggests that she may be capable of running into the frame here but she'll do well to be in a position to look Gift Horse in the mouth at the line.
Doctor Hilary 10-3fav (9-7) Hampered start, behind, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 7l behind Dazed And Amazed (9-7) at Bath 5f clm (6) gf in Sept.
Gift Horse 5-2 (9-8) Towards rear, driven and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 12, hd behind Final Verse (9-10) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol.
Blue Tomato 16-1 (8-6) Slowly into side and towards rear stand side, soon ridden along, stayed on towards finish, 7th of 14, 8l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept.
Our Blessing (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Led for 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 28l behind Jim Martin (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f sll (4) hvy in Sept.
Ivory Silk 14-1 (8-6) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Kelamon (8-8) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Norcroft 4-1fav (9-5) In touch, headway under pressure 1f out, ran on to take 3rd near finish, never any chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Rondeau (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
Never Without Me 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on to challenge entering final furlong, weakened close home, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
Attacca 16-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 15l behind Zabeel Tower (9-10) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
Brazilian Brush (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 13, 4l behind I Confess (8-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo sll (6) pol.
Young Ivanhoe 33-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Tanley (8-12) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-50 (6) std.
Klarity 20-1 (8-6) Held up, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 15l behind All In The Red (9-2) at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gd in Sept.
Corridor Creeper (FR) 28-1 (9-5) In rear, short lived effort under pressure over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 15l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
Bazguy 8-1 (9-0) Prominent on outside, soon pushed along, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 12l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcap (5) hvy in Sept.
