held up in touch, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
held up in touch, effort to chase winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden 2f out, persistent effort on stands side rail from over 1f out, not much room, squeezed through inside final furlong, ran on towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left final furlong, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway between horses entering final furlong, ran on strongly towards finish, too much to do
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed narrowly over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide, prominent, led narrowly over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, edged left final furlong
MERRY DIVA has been running consistently well in defeat of late and is taken to get her head in front for the first time this season in the finale, while both My Best Bet and Riamond Ridge will pose as the main dangers. The selection finished an eye catching second to Theatre Street at Epsom last time out off the same mark. She has been unlucky to have found one too good on a number of occasions this season but she does look the form horse in this race and with luck in running she is difficult to oppose. My Best Bet has been a model of consistency this season and he can once again be competitive off his current mark. He was not beaten far behind Perfect Silence at Kempton last time out and another solid performance can be expected. Riamond Ridge is two pounds higher since finishing third of ten at Goodwood last time out. He is more than capable of running into the frame once again off his current mark so warrants plenty of respect. Merry Diva has conditions in her favour and gets the narrow vote.
My Best Bet 9-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, switched right and headway approaching 2 out, driven to join winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Perfect Silence (9-7) at Kempton 7f fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Cape Melody 10-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on never nearer, 5th of 9, 4l behind Rocket Rob (9-6) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Rio Royale (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, led 1f, remained prominent, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Fajita (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 3yo clm (5) gf in Aug.
Merry Diva 7-2fav (9-5) Chased leading trio, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Theatre Street (9-3) at Epsom Downs 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Raimond Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, in touch, ridden 2f, stayed on to go 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Mythical Blue (9-1) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Reject 9-2 (9-1) Raced keenly, pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Hand Painted (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Riflessione 17-2 (9-7) Held up, ridden 2f out, no impression, until stayed on to take 4th towards finish, 4th of 7, 4l behind Battle (9-6) at Bath 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Pocket's Pick (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Dwelt, always behind, 9th of 11, 10l behind Timeless Dream (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Simple Rhythm 8-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden halfway, every chance over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Corton Charlemagne (8-13) at Folkestone 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
