steadied start, held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden and effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong
tracked leading pair, driven 3f out, ridden to lead inside final 2f, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace under pressure final 2f, no impression
held up behind, driven and headeway 3f out, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leader, driven over 3f out, soon ridden and lost place, beaten when eased 1f out, pulled up and dismounted inside final furlong
With a lack of solid alternatives it might be worth keeping with SABORIDO in the closer. Amanda Perrett's charge needs a career-best to win from a handicapping perspective but the assessor could've applied more pressure than he has, given that the horse won by 13 lengths at Bath. The 6lb rise he's incurred wouldn't have stopped him that day and it may not here, providing the ground is no worse than good-to-soft. Hawridge Star was well-backed last time but confirmed the previous impression that he has little in hand of the handicapper and needs a bog to produce his best, as might Rock Soleil who ran well in a better race last time and looks on a good mark. The fascinating one is Afsoun, a formerly smart jumper who could be revitalised by a switch in yard, but he's a risky betting proposition now tried on the level.
Afsoun (FR) (9-2) Made most, easily, won at Chantilly(FR) 1m 7f hcp gd in Jul '05 beating Alcala (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Magicalmysterytour (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) In rear, behind from over 2f out, last of 16, well behind Vulcanite (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs.
It's A Date 13-2 (9-6) Led, joined 3f out, soon headed, stayed in 2nd until 2f out, faded over 1f out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Woolfall Treasure (10-0) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Saborido (USA) 5-1 (9-8) Held up, headway to 4th when emerged from fog over 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep beating Viviani (8-4) by 13l, 9 ran.
Hawridge King 20-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 25l behind Simonside (9-0) at York 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Hawridge Star (IRE) 2-1fav (10-0) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost 4th close home, 5th of 10, 9l behind Pocketwood (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Sep.
Rock Soleil 9-1 (9-2) Chased leader until 3f out, stayed challenging, carried left over 1f out, driven and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Saute (9-7) at Newbury 2m app hcp (5) sft.
Cotton King 8-1 (9-2) Towards rear, pushed along on outside over 4f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 13th of 17, 43l behind Gaselee (9-12) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
