slowly into stride, raced in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
dwelt, held up in rear, under pressure when hampered over 2f out, soon beaten
always behind
held up in touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, lost place well over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, not pace to challenge
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
always prominent, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, soon hung right, eased near finish
chased leaders, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, nearest finish
held up in rear, edged left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never nearer
FOREVER HOPE is chanced on this handicap debut now back over a mile. Tim Walford's filly ran her best race to date when third to Give Your Verdict at Nottingham. Her mark of 70 looks stiff on the face of things but this daughter of Mark Of Esteem should continue to improve with her racing. Last-year's winner Wiseman's Diamond has a good record here so she is considered, along with the in-form Sharakti and the well-handicapped front-runner Xpres Maite. Elijah Pepper's form looks solid but the handicapper continues to make life tough for David Barron's gelding, and along with Carlitos Spirit, who is 10lbs higher than when winning twice in a profitable July, he is passed over. Of more interest is Alsahil who has plummeted down the weights this year and the booking of Philip Robinson looks a statement of intent.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Close up, led well over 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 11l behind Sunnyside Tom (9-10) at Beverley 7f clm stks (5) gf in Aug.
Elijah Pepper (USA) 9-2 (8-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Justonefortheroad (9-9) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Ykikamoocow 6-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear and keen, effort over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 16l behind Ting Ting (8-2) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Alsahil (USA) 33-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden on inside 3f out, some headway on rails inside final 2f, no danger, 9th of 12, 5l behind Ailsa Craig (8-10) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Forever Hope 85-40 (8-12) Chased leaders stands side, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 15l behind Viking Warrior (9-3) at Redcar 7f mdn auc stks (5) gf in Aug.
Wiseman's Diamond (USA) 40-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Jo'burg (9-3) at York 1m 2f clm stks (3) gf.
Sharakti (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, led 3f out, edged left and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Magic Millie (8-6) by nk, 7 ran.
Xpres Maite 9-2 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Nolecce (8-2) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Betteras Bertie 40-1 (9-2) Chased leader until over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Chief Red Cloud (9-7) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Prominent, not much room on inside 8f out, soon in mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Woolston Ferry (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Spavento (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on and no impression, 7th of 14, 6l behind Northern Flyer (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Twisted 10-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon under pressure and beaten, 6th of 10, 10l behind Offspring (9-9) at Ripon 6f mdn hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Moon Lightning (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, switched right to challenge over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Kilburn (9-4) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
