chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, outpaced, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened, eased inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
steadied start, keen, held up in last place, headway 2f out, soon ridden, edged left, driven inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous
in rear, reminders soon after start, ridden halfway, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden, every chance 1f out, stayed on
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
mid-division, ridden, lost place halfway
The Twelve Steps showed improved form when landing a soft ground handicap at Thirsk earlier this month and Alan Swinbank's colt has to be respected under his penalty, while Irish Pearl ran better at Folkestone last time and is another with strong claims but it is hard to get away from TADALAVIL, who gets the vote. The selection has run to a consistent level of form of late, remains on a fair mark and Mick Channon's gelding will have no problems with the underfoot conditions. Luca Cumani's Credit Swap has yet to prove that he handles ground as soft as this, while Luminous Gold has more to do off an 8lb higher mark than when successful at Folkestone last time. When Michael Bell and Jamie Spencer team up, they always warrant respect and Artsu can be given a chance on the pick of his form, while Mission Impossible is another that handles the ground and has to be considered but he may be a shade high in the weights now. Several have chances in a competitive handicap but it is Tadalavil that gets the vote.
Irish Pearl (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, run on well under pressure, caught on line, 2nd of 7, hd behind Regal Royale (8-5) at Folkestone 5f hcap (4) sft.
Credit Swap 7-1 (9-2) Mid-dividion, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 10l behind Relative Order (9-7) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
We Have A Dream 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 14l behind Film Maker (9-0) at Great Leighs 6f 3yo hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Mission Impossible 9-4fav (8-7) In touch, effort 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Great Charm (9-2) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Errigal Lad 5-1 (8-13) Took keen hold in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Baldemar (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Luminous Gold 7-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Folkestone 6f fll hcp (5) gs in May beating Leading Edge (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Artsu 15-2 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Baldemar (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Westwood 25-1 (8-13) Pulled hard, tracked winner on inside, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened quickly, tailed off, last of 8, 30l behind Dunn'o (9-2) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Lord Sandicliffe (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 12th of 14, 18l behind Great Charm (9-2) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Tadalavil 6-4fav (8-10) Raced on outside of group, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, kept on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Pretty Bonnie (8-9) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) sft.
The Twelve Steps 7-1 (8-10) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon drew clear, won at Thirsk 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft beating Mandalay King (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nawaahi (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Rhadegunda (8-12) at Chester 1m mdn stk (5) sft in Aug.