held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders and travelled well, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, not pace of winner
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway to lead 1f out, stayed on well
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
very slow away, behind, some lheadway halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, led 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra
held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
led, headed 2f out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced alone stand side, never on terms with far side group
BALAKRIEF relishes these conditions and can follow up his recent course and distance success with another win, while Woodsley House looks a clear danger. The selection has gone up 3lb for that recent win here, and most of his career wins have come on soft or bottomless ground. He clearly loves it here too, so he has plenty going for him and his latest rise means he is still below his highest winning mark so we'll side with him. Woodsley House is in cracking form, with a hat-trick of wins on both good to soft and soft ground. The six-year-old tries his luck on heavy for the first time here and races at the track for the first time, so those minor doubts plus over a stone rise in the weights for the three wins mean that we take him on today. Misphire, a stablemate of the selection, also loves to get his toe in and is capable of running a big race here though he'd need a career best to win from this mark. Indian Diva has been off the track for a few months and may well need this, but the ground will also suit her, so watch for any market moves. Makshoof would prefer it quicker, while Charles Darwin is on a good mark if he can perform to his best on this surface. A decent race then and Balakiref can win it.
Dream Theme 10-1 (8-3) Dwelt, ridden to lead, headed over 1f out, soon hampered, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 10l behind Furnace (8-1) at Chester 1m hcap (2) gf in Aug.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Nobilissima (9-1) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Misphire 22-1 (9-6) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 15l behind Persian Sea (9-3) at Doncaster 7f fll hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Makshoof (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Crying Aloud (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
Balakiref 7-2 (8-7) Headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Haydock 6f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Jul beating Rabbit Fighter (8-8) by a shd, 9 ran.
Memphis Man 12-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, never nearer, 8th of 13, 8l behind Crying Aloud (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
Elusive Hawk (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 19l behind Crying Aloud (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Led, headed 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 12, 17l behind Myfrenchconnection (8-13) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Woodsley House (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Redcar 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating War And Peace (9-6) by 1l, 13 ran.
Cayman Fox 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind Rose Siog (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Aug '07.
Monsieur Reynard 14-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 19l behind Pretty Bonnie (8-2) at Bath 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Mayoman (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 8, 19l behind Jaconet (8-5) at York 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Indian Diva (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, prominent, driven and weakened over 2f out, 16th of 18, 25l behind Clifton Dancer (8-6) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gd in May.
