slowly away headway to lead over 6f out, made rest, shaken up over 1f out, ran on, eased towards finish
set steady pace until headed over 6f out, tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, not pace of winner
Groupie has been low-key since landing a Haydock handicap last summer and will need to improve to trouble her two rivals, although there was improvement the last day despite coming home sixth of seven as she wasn't beaten far after a troubled passage. There's little to choose between the two three-year-olds, of which AQUARIUM appreciated the drop to this level last time when an easy Epsom winner. He finished behind Maypole when the pair last met in what proved a messy if competitive contest at Chelmsford recently but is better off at the weights here and may reverse placings. Maypole has been a model of consistency this term and will not go down without a fight in what could prove a very tactical affair.
Aquarium 9-4 (9-4) Tracked leaders, driven and headway into 2nd 2f out, led 1f out, soon clear, ran on, won at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Corazon Espinado (9-2) by 5l, 5 ran.
Maypole 3-1 (8-12) In touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led entering final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Book of Dreams (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Groupie 20-1 (9-0) Keen held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Balestra (9-5) at Haydock 7f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
