tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
raced keenly, led and jumped right, headed 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon behind
held up, headway 3 out, led between last 2, clear when jumped right last, pushed out comfortably
keen early, held up in rear, headway and effort on outside 3 out, outpaced next, soon ridden and no impression
RORY BOY is the pick with Maidstone Mixture and Nine Stories the alternatives. Rory Boy floundered badly on the heavy ground at Stratford during the summer, which was particularly surprising given that he had literally been backed off the boards. With time granted to recover from those exertions, a true run effort should suffice. Maidstone Mixture brings classic form to the table...albeit tailed off form in the St Leger. His win around Cartmel was given a boost by the second last week but he has to give away 7lb to our selection and that might be a bridge too far. Nine Stories had looked hard to win with on the flat. He did finish off on a winning note at Ripon and is one very much to note in the market. Abbey Express has been trounced on all his starts. Jumpin Johnnie was a poor sprinter while Ski Sunday, who was not devoid of ability when trained by Michael Jarvis, should be capable of staying the trip. Humdrum fare and Rory Boy gets the nod.
Maidstone Mixture (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) In touch, led 1st to next, tracked leader, led again 2 out, clear last, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Rivington Pike (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Rory Boy (USA) 4-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders on outside, challenging when not fluent 5th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Simarian (10-13) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Aug.
Abbey Express 100-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, led, headed when mistake 1st, led again next, headed 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 9, 42l behind Maidstone Mixture (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Jumpin Johnnie 40-1 (8-7) In touch, lost place halfway, 6th of 7, well behind Prince Rhyddarch (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 4f mdn 0-60 (6) sft in Aug (Flat).
Nine Stories (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul beating Ella Woodcock (9-8) by 3/4l, 10 ran (Flat).
Ski Sunday 5-4fav (9-3) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon edged left, no impression, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Leamington (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb (Flat).
