behind, ridden over 2f out no impression
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on gamely inside final furlong to lead post
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out and weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, prominent over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon led, kept on, headed post
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
Not a particularly strong handicap and Sam's Secret can make it four wins from five starts, with Zennerman, Champaign Sands, Wiltshire and Coeur Courageux also in with chances. Sam's Secret loves it here with two wins over a mile in the past two months, plus a 7f Redcar win in between. Her only defeat in that time came over this trip at Beverley, but she could not have been much more impressive in this sort of class last time and she will take some beating. Zennerman took a Wolverhampton 3-y-o handicap last time and seems to handle most ground. A 4lb rise looks fair enough and if the blinkers are as effective then Kevin Ryan's gelding should be thereabouts. Wiltshire tackles his optimum trip again here and at these weights he looks capable of being competitive on ground he relishes, while Champaign Sands is back below his last winning mark but needs to show us more before being backable. Of the remainder Coeur Courageux will doesn't win often but is dropped in class here and should be good enough to go close over the only trip he has won at. Intriguing then, and we take Sam's Secret to maintain her good form.
Zennerman (IRE) 15-8fav (9-12) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, switched right 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f hcap (5) pol in Jul beating Attacca (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Coeur Courageux (FR) 11-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Turnkey (9-6) at Pontefract 6f hcap (3) gd in Jul.
Sea Storm (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 12l behind Vicious Warrior (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May '06.
Sam's Secret 11-2 (9-4) Mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, led over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul beating Bolton Hall (9-1) by 4l, 14 ran.
Ulysees (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Mid-division stand side, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 17, 7l behind Charles Parnell (9-8) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Champain Sands (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Behind, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 14, 7l behind Nan Jan (10-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Esoterica (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 10l behind Sam's Secret (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Wiltshire (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway well over 2f out, chased leader 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Tipsy Lad (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul.
Borodinsky 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Charles Parnell (10-1) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
