held up, good headway over 1f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong
led, ridden and edged over 1f out, soon headed, one pace
held up towards rear, every chance approaching final furlong, weakened towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression entering final furlong
held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up mid-division and keen, weakened over 1f out
held up and keen, kept on over 1f out
tracked leaders, one pace inside final furlong
held up, led approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, weakened inside final furlong
held up and keen, headway over 1f out, one pace
held up, never dangerous
Not a race to get heavily involved in as a compressed handicap with everything BHA rated between 53 and 55 and the pin just comes down on last-time scorer STRAIGHT FACE, while Who's Winning and Miss Firefly are dangers. The selection took a similar contest over course and distance a couple of weeks ago, being nicely produced by George Baker on that occasion to nick it near the line. Darryll Holland gets the leg-up tonight and from a plumb draw and just a 3lb higher mark the combination is taken to go in. Who's Winning has been in very consistent form for one plying his trade at this sort of level, and he has a win-to-run record of 11 from 107, which is respectable. However, those thinking of backing him should note that he has not done so in 23 attempts on artificial surfaces. Miss Firefly was beaten just a head by Castano at Wolverhampton last time but has just one win from 33 career starts. There is potential for perhaps a little improvement now tried over this far for the first time, but the jury is out. Shake On It meets the selection on the same terms as when beaten well over two lengths by him last time and there is no obvious reason why he can turn the tables. Dark Camellia is proving expensive to follow, and we prefer the claims of Straight Face.
Annes Rocket (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Dwelt, pulled hard and soon in mid-division, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, running on and chance of place when hampered 75 yards out, 4th of 11, 2l behind Dichoh (9-5) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
My Flame 14-1 (9-4) Chased far side leader, soon outpaced and weakened, 12th of 13, 36l behind Goodbye Cash (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Vanadium 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Pianoforte (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Only A Game (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In touch, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression on winner, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Ocean Countess (8-12) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Straight Face (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Went left start, soon mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, chased clear leader inside final furlong, closed and stayed on to lead near finish, won at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Sermons Mount (9-2) by nk, 13 ran.
Clearing House 66-1 (9-2) Steadied start, soon switched right, always towards rear, 10th of 13, 12l behind Tamasou (9-8) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Who's Winning (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Quickly away, led 2f, chased leading pair, ridden and kept on into 2nd over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Mamlakati (9-2) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Miss Firefly 14-1 (9-0) In rear, headway entering final furlong, ridden inside last, stayed on towards finish, just held close home, 2nd of 10, hd behind Castano (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Dark Camellia 14-1 (9-1) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some late headway over 1f out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Tiddliwinks (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Sep.
Pipers Piping (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Held up and well off the pace in rear, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 12, 5l behind Steelcut (8-10) at Kempton 6f clm stks 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
Madhal 25-1 (9-3) Steadied start, always in the rear, last of 8, 21l behind Tilos Gem (9-3) at Bath 1m 3yo mdn aut (6) fm in Jun.
H Harrison (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 8l behind Ocean Countess (8-12) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Shake On It 20-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Straight Face (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Prince De Fortune 150-1 (9-3) Pulled hard towards rear, beaten 2f out, soon hanging left, 12th of 15, 25l behind Orlando's Tale (9-7) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.
