held up, ridden and smooth headway from over 3f out, jockey dropped whip over 2f out, kept on one pace after
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
tracked leader, ridden 4f out, headway to lead over 2f out and kept on
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace after
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase winner over 1f out, kept on final furlong
led and soon clear, ridden over 2f out, soon headed and weakened
slowly into stride and behind, ridden over 3f out, some headway until one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
always towards rear
The vote here goes to Burnley Al ahead of Ballyhurry, Tokewanna and Bandos. Burnley Al has recently won here, over seven furlongs, and can be expected to go well as the cheekpieces he won when scoring are back on today following a fair fourth over today's course and distance last time without them. Tokewanna won over course distance earlier this month and, although three pounds higher now than for that winning mark, can go well for her in-form yard. Being six pounds better off for the length and a quarter he finished behind Tokewanna in that race, Bandos must also be given a shout. Oatcake has shown promise in maidens, while the soft going may have aided Simply St Lucia's winning cause last time. Stevedore's Nottingham win came in a modest affair, while Dante's Diamond has yet to score in 17 attempts and Sarraaf is handicapped up to higher than his recent best. Finally, Ballyhurry, a five-time winner here, is on a reasonable mark, and we expect a good run, and he is weighted to get the better of Simply St Lucia based on May course and distance form. However, for the winner, we will stick with Burnley Al, although his low draw is a slight concern.
Ballyhurry (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (5) gd beating Bolton Hall (9-8) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sarraaf (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden when weakening final furlong, 10th of 17, 11l behind Typhoon Ginger (8-1) at York 1m hcp (5) gf.
Dante's Diamond (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-4) Chased leaders 5f, 9th of 12, 10l behind Dragon Slayer (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Simply St Lucia 11-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug beating Kudbeme (9-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Oatcake 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Calabaza (9-0) at Goodwood 6f mdn aut stk (4) gd in Aug.
Burnley Al (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Wayward Shot (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (6) gd.
Tokewanna 3-1fav (8-3) Mid-division, chased along halfway, soon beaten, 17th of 18, 9l behind Cadogen Square (7-9) at Catterick 7f fll hcp (6) gd.
Paris Heights 7-1 (8-7) Prominent, driven over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Abstract Folly (9-2) at Carlisle 1m 3yo hcp (6) gf.
