slowly into stride, behind, pulled up over 4f out
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, driven, lost action over 4f out, pulled up soon after
prominent, outpaced over 3f out
soon led, headed 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner final furlong
prominent, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, clear entering final furlong, eased close home
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, towards rear, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never near to challenge
always in rear division
prominent, chased along over 3f out, soon weakened
behind, broke wide, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong
prominent for 5f
This is another tight affair with the vote going to Stevedore. Cavan Gael and Diamond Shannon might prove to be his biggest dangers. Roman Empire is well-weighted based on form of a year ago but is unproven at today's trip, and Cavan Gael, who can be a bit in and out, is well weighted based on his best Turf form in May. Diamond Shannon won here off a two-pound lower mark over seven furlongs in December 2004, but has been disappointing in four runs since. Simply St Lucia is another to disappoint since a Turf win from a pound-higher mark in August, and was behind Stevedore at Musselburgh in September. The latter put in a fair effort when second off today's mark at Wolverhampton last time and certainly can be given a chance today. You can make cases for a number of the others, including the course and distance winner, Phi Phi, who is back to that winning mark, although her latest win came off a mark of 45 in Banded company, Machinate, who ran ok at Wolverhampton last time, and all-weather debutante My Michelle, who has disappointed twice since bolting up in a Leicester maiden. However, in a tricky race, we will just give the vote to Stevedore.
Simply St Lucia 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, 15th of 17, 19l behind Robinzal (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Phi Phi (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 5l behind Midnight Lace (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol.
Stevedore (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Led 6f out to 3f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Qualitair Wings (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
My Michelle 25-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Chrysander (8-11) at Nottingham 1m stk (4) hvy.
Machinate (USA) 5-1 (9-2) Mid-disision, ridden when hampered over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Burhaan (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Mink Mitten 11-2 (8-4) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 10l behind Love Angel (8-11) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) hrd in Sept.
Mademoiselle 7-2fav (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 4l behind Time To Regret (8-6) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-60 (6) hvy.
Sriology (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 13, 6l behind Western Roots (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
