raced keenly, made all, ridden 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on gamely, ridden out
held up, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
held up behind leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, chased winner until inside final 2f, stayed on same pace final furlong
dwelt, soon tracking leaders on rail, chased winner inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong, always held
took keen hold, held up, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
chased leaders on wide outside, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
Both ITALIAN TOM and Ruthie Babe made winning starts in handicap company last time and out of the pair we'll side with the first mentioned while Drift And Dream should also be in the reckoning after a good course and distance display last time. The Ron Harris-trained selection built on a runner's up spot in a seller two starts ago to win on his first run in these ranks. The colt still showed plenty of inexperience during that run so we suggest he still could be ahead of the assessor despite his six pound penalty. Ruthie Babe took her handicap bow by staying on well over this trip at Ffos Las on quick ground. Again William Haggas' filly should be ahead of the handicapper but her rival looks open to more improvement. Drift And Dream is back after a bit of a break and was last seen finding just one too good over course and distance when two pounds lower. The form looks solid from that contest so a bold bid is expected. Pose looks well weighted on her handicap debut and is another for the shortlist but with plenty more expected, Italian Tom gets the vote.
Italian Tom (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Dwelt, soon recovered to lead on winners, hung left bend 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating I'malwaysright (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Waltz Around (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Led until 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 20l behind Red Badge (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Pose (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure in final furlong, took 2nd post, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Secret Millionaire (8-10) at Chepstow 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Bossy Kitty 15-8fav (8-7) Chased leaders, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ripon 5f 2yo fll mdn aut (5) gs beating Silver Linnet (8-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Drift And Dream 9-4fav (8-9) Led on rail, ridden 2f out, jumped crossing entering final furlong, briefly unbalanced, headed final 50 yards, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Yer Woman (9-7) at Sandown 5f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Guesswork 4-1 (9-0) Close up on outside, outpaced when bumped over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13l behind Brambleberry (9-0) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn fll stks (5) pol in Jun.
Softly Spoken 20-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, led just over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 17l behind Excelling (8-5) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Jul.
Ruthie Babe 10-3 (7-13) Soon steadied, held up, headway over 2f out, switched left well over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged right towards finish, ran on, won at Ffos Las 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Secret Millionaire (9-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Watch Chain (IRE) 5-2fav (8-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 3l behind On The Piste (8-11) at Redcar 5f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
