never better than mid-division
soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on
always behind
chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
always prominent, hard ridden over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead by strides
chased leaders, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
always behind
mid-division, weakened well over 1f out
behind, headway well over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
Some familiar faces lock horns in this tricky Group two event and Etlaala is given one last chance to show his true class, Avonbridge and Ashdown Express are also expected to go well. These sprint races are hard to predict as they tend to take it in turn to win . Etlaala has yet to get his head in front this season but on the pick of his form he is entitled to go close. His latest effort in the Sprint Cup at Haydock was a decent enough effort as he pulled hard early on and used up plenty of energy before stying on into fourth. If Richard Hills can get him to settle properly we may see a much better performance. Ashdown Express can never be ruled out of this type of event and hit winning form last time when dead-heating with Moss Vale in a listed event at Goodwood. Another bold showing can be expected today. Avonbridge wasn't beaten far behind La Cucaracha in the Nunthorpe and had previously finished second in the July Cup, just ahead of our selection. On that effort he has to be a danger to all, but we think there more to come from Etlaala, and if everything falls right today, he could be the one collecting first prize.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, ran on final furlong to join leader on line, won at Goodwood 6f lst stk (1) gf deadheating with Moss Vale (9-0), 8 ran.
Avonbridge 6-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance, weakened when hampered towards finish, 7th of 16, 2l behind La Cucaracha (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug.
Bahamian Pirate (USA) 5-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Cornus (8-8) at Beverley 5f stk (3) gd.
Baltic King 11-1 (8-13) Raced wide until halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 2l behind The Tatling (8-13) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Baron's Pit 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind dhtrs Moss Vale (9-0) & Ashdown Express (9-0) at Goodwood 6f lst stk (1) gf.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 15-8 (9-1) Chasedwinner 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Patavellian (8-8) at Yarmouth 6f stk (3) gd.
Moss Vale (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, switched left and effort when not clear run inside final furlong, soon eased, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind The Tatling (8-13) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Quito (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 6l behind Iffraaj (9-0) at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Texas Gold 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon one pace, 7th of 13, 3l behind The Tatling (8-13) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Traytonic 20-1 (9-6) Behind stands' side, never dangerous, 19th of 27, 10l behind Presto Shinko (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd.
Etlaala 14-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden and every chance final furlong until inside final furlong, not quicken, 6th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Goodricke (8-12) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Goldeva 100-1 (8-11) Held up and keen, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 16l behind Iffraaj (9-0) at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Lucky Spin 12-1 (8-11) Held up, mid-division, ridden over 1f out, carried left entering final furlong, one pace, 8th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Goodricke (8-12) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gd.