soon led, headed over 2f out, no chance with winner
steadied at start and held up in rear, took 2nd place 7f out, quickened to lead over 2f out, soon clear easily
held up, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten
A strict interpretation of this race using official BHA ratings makes it a two-horse contest and of that pair TOO MUCH TROUBLE is taken to get the better of Keeptheboatafloat. The selection won a mile Sandown maiden on debut in August and has not been seen since. Being by Barathea, this ground should suit, and with plenty of stamina on both sides of his pedigree the step up to this significantly longer trip should be no problem, so we will side with the colt. Stablemate Some Time Good should now be able to improve after a useful reappearance run last month, but he will have to find plenty to get the better of his travelling companion. Keeptheboatafloat looks a stronger opponent in that he has kept better company than this in the past, but he must be considered a doubtful stayer. The same comment applies to Hard Luck Story, who shouldn't really get close enough to be the subject of one of those today, so we'll take Too Much Trouble to score.
Keeptheboatafloat (USA) 100-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 13th of 14, 12l behind Mafaaz (9-3) at Kempton 1m 1f cnd stks (3yo) (2) pol in Mar.
Too Much Trouble 15-8fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, 4th in touch, progress 2f out, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, led inside final furling, asserted final 100 yards, won at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug beating Miss Sophisticat (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Hard Luck Story 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Union Island (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 1f mdn stks (5) gf.
Some Time Good (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon behind, 12th of 15, 24l behind Chiberta King (8-10) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
