Verdict
Oldrik showed decent form over hurdles for Philip Hobbs last term and has to be of interest back on the flat today, while Alan King's Dolcetto has been running consistently well and should be thereabouts again but he invariably finds at least one too good and may do so again here. Tom Dascombe's Raktiman is another that is usually involved at the business end of a race but he seems a shade high in the weights and of more interest may be Pool Of Knowledge, who has run well in his last two outings. The vote though goes the way of Amanda Perrrett's VALID REASON, who showed improved form at Salisbury last month and he can go one better for his in-form stable racing off the same mark today.
Formwatch
Sohcahtoa (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Jo'burg (9-3) at York 1m 2f clm stks (3) gf.
Dolcetto (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Chased leaders, driven and effort approaching final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Broughtons Swinger (8-0) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Pool Of Knowledge (FR) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, headway to lead over 2f out, soon headed, ridden and still every chance 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 2l behind Maybe I Wont (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Wing Play (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, never a factor, 10th of 15, 8l behind Maybe I Wont (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Grey Bunting 20-1 (8-0) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 16, 45l behind Mount Athos (8-1) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Valid Reason 15-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, effort when bumped 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Vita Nova (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Rockfella 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 4th of 7, 9l behind Nave (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Silvador 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Akmal (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gd in May '09.
Oldrik (GER) 12-1 (10-13) Behind, headway over 3f out, edged left and stayed on to take 3rd entering final furlong, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Alsadaa (10-5) at Ascot 1m 4f Am hcp (4) gd in Sep '08.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 25-1 (8-1) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, never near leaders, 8th of 16, 10l behind Roxy Flyer (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Roanstar 7-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 5l behind Court Circle (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Raktiman (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, driven to dispute lead inside final furlong, no extra and held close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Sula Two (9-4) at Bath 1m 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug.
