held up, headway over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong
led, headed after 5f, pushed along over 6f, weakened over 2f
towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final 2f
held up, headway over 3f, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f, driven and kept on gamely final furlong
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong
prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led after 5f, clear half way, headed over 3f out, soon beaten
Thewhirlingdervish, Aston Lad and Vice Admiral are the three for the shortlist and we chance Thewhirlingdervish in this affair. Carrying top-weight means that this assignment will be no gimme but he has handled the surface well in the past and he finally looks to be back into some measure of form. Aston Lad makes some appeal on jockey bookings. Backers should be aware that he has burst blood vessels in the past so some caution is advised. Vice Admiral is still well treated in relation to some of his juvenile form but has proven frustrating to follow of late. Hurdler, Cava Bien should have few problems with the trip and has to have a fair chance at the likely odds. True appears to stay this trip although he has never been tried over it under conditions as testing as this. A race with many possibilities and Thewhirlingdervish is afforded the vote.
Thewhirlingdervish (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Held up, effort over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, no impression, 8th of 12, 12l behind Esprit de Corps (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Vice Admiral 16-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 9f out, with leader to over 4f out, weakening when not much room over 3f out, 11th of 13, 28l behind Rehearsed (9-3) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Ferrando 16-1 (8-6) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Taxman (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Cava Bien 12-1 (8-13) In touch, took closer order 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Serramanna (8-9) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Aston Lad 15-2 (8-8) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 6th of 11, 11l behind Cleaver (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
True (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Bulberry Hill (8-9) at Southwell 2m banded stk (7) fbs.
Scurra 11-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 9, 8l behind Vice Admiral (9-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sept.
Mystified (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon headed and no extra, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Virginia Rose (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m 6f banded stk (7) gs.