slowly into stride, soon pushed along and behind, never nearer
prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out
with leaders, led halfway, ridden clear over 1f out, eased near finish
dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led until halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out
slowly away, in rear, never dangerous
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
prominent, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, held up, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on under strong pressure final furlong
soon pushed along and mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
This is a very tricky race to start proceedings and a narrow vote is given to Le Chiffre, Majik and Crafty Fox look to be the main rivals. The selection does at least boast winning form this summer having landed a claimer and a handicap during the summer. He comes out on top on official ratings and if back to his best he would be hard to beat. Crafty Fox is rated 54 and does have a recent one to his name. The fact that he isn't too consistent is major concern and he is passed over. Majik could be the one to bustle up Le Chiffre if he can reproduce his recent course and distance effort when a close up fourth behind Count Cougar. Ace Club may do best of the rest, but if Le Chiffre acts on this surface he should be there or thereabouts.
Le Chiffre (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up, driven 5f out, always behind, 11th of 12, 10l behind Foreplay (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Swallow Senora (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Benny The Bus (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Aintnecessarilyso 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened over 1f, 11th of 13, 7l behind Warden Warren (9-0) at Kempton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Majik 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 12l behind Windy Prospect (8-0) at Southwell 6f app hcp (6) fbs.
On The Trail 33-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 3l behind Rosie's Result (8-6) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Woodwee 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders over 4f, 9th of 11, 19l behind Cleveland (8-8) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
The City Kid (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 14, 29l behind Scotland The Brave (9-7) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sept.
Crafty Fox 7-1 (9-3) Held up, lost touch and dropped rear over 2f out, never dangerous afterwards, 10th of 12, 11l behind Carcinetto (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) pol.
Blissphilly 200-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 22, 16l behind George The Best (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcap (6) hvy in Oct.
