tracked leaders centre group to over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear near side group, kept on under pressure from 2f out, run on inside final furlong, nearest finish
prominent, led near side group over 2f out to over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader near side group, ridden and weakened from 2f out
in touch near side group, ridden along over 2f out, no progress and weakened over 1f out
prominent, led centre group over 2f out, headed by near side group over 1f out
started slowly, in rear centre group, headway from 2f out, hung right over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd, not troubled winner
tracked leaders centre to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led near side group to halfway, headed by centre group, led again over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, ridden out
From a shortlist containing Born For Dancing, Vague Star, Speedhill Harry and Starduster, we will side with Vague Star in this contest. Born For Dancing made late headway after being hampered at Doncaster last time and gets a mention, but she has six-and-a-half lengths to find with Vague Star based on that run, and is only three pound better off today. The latter benefited from the application of blinkers and the easy going on that occasion and, if they work again, she has to be given every chance, given the prevailing conditions. A five-furlong winner on soft going at Folkestone in April, Speedhill Harry does at least have a liking for the prevailing underfoot conditions. As such, he must surely be given a chance in a race where many of his rivals are hard to fancy. If handling the going, which is unproven and far from certain, then the best of Cape Unknown's form so far would give him claims. However, Starduster, who absolutely bolted up in a weak Leicester maiden last time, looks reasonably weighted here and, with the going probably not going to pose her problems, she has to be seriously considered today. Finally, it would be be hard to build a compelling case for the bottom seven in the weights, all of which returns us to the selection, which is Vague Star.
Vague Star (ITY) 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Doncaster 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Chilly Cracker (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Born For Dancing (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Drifted left after 1f, soon switched far side, chased leader until led that side over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 7l behind Vague Star (8-13) at Doncaster 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Star Duster 10-11fav (8-4) With leaders, led halfway, ridden clear, won at Leicester 5f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul beating Pagan Quest (9-0) by 5l, 13 ran.
Speed Dial Harry (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Behind, outpaced halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer, 5th of 8, 2l behind Ryedane (9-2) at Catterick 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Revien (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Raced centre, slowly into stride, outpaced, 15th of 20, 10l behind Canadian Danehill (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Baileys Applause 12-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 5th of 9, 8l behind Rosapenna (9-0) at Folkestone 6f 3yo app hcp (5) frm in Jul.
Cape Unknown (USA) 3-1fav (8-11) Chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 12l behind Moonmaiden (8-3) at Bath 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Edged In Gold 11-2 (9-7) Held up and behind, good headway over 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon edged left, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jul beating Rock Fever (8-13) by a nk, 13 ran.
