slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 3f, soon ridden, chased winner 2f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, clear 1f out, easily
chased leader, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, soon clear, came solo down centre from 8f out, headed and weakened rapidly over 5f out, tailed off
held up in 5th, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, went modest 3rd inside final furlong
David Elsworth's Classic Punch bounced back to winning ways when landing a handicap over course and distance last month and he has every chance of following up in this conditions race but preference is for Saeed Bin Suroor's BALIUS, who disappointed in the York Stakes on his reappearance last month but is taking a big drop in class today and he looks worth siding with judged by earlier form. Saeed Bin Suroor is also represented by Libel Law, who was good value for his win in a Haydock handicap when last seen in August of last year and he has claims but this looks tougher. Clive Brittain's Nideeb showed a decent level of form as a juvenile and is probably best watched on his belated first outing as a three-year-old, while Traffic Guard is hard to recommend on recent form and preference is for Balius.
Balius (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 10l behind Summit Surge (9-2) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Traffic Guard (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, hampered and pushed right inside final 2f, ridden switched left and headway over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Redwood (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Classic Punch (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) Made all, clear when ridden entering final furlong, ran on well, unchallenged, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul beating Abergavenny (8-6) by 9l, 7 ran.
Libel Law 6-1 (8-10) Raced keenly in touch, led 2f out, soon ridden, driven and stayed on well final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd in Aug '09 beating Nanton (8-13) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
Slap And Tickle (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 13th of 15, 19l behind Cool Kitten (8-2) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Nideeb 7-2fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Sir Parky (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Oct.
