hung right, made most to over 5f out, weakened quickly, eased final 2f
in touch, driven 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always in rear
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, weakened 5f out, soon tailed off
behind, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no danger
held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd near finish
in touch, steady headway from 5f out, driven to chase leader 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
mid-division, steady headway 3f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no extra, lost 2 places near finish
towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
behind, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on final furlong, took 2nd near finish
prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, effort 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace over 1f out
An interesting but tricky affair with the vote going to Ocean Rock. Saintly Thoughts, Lysander's Quest, Lord Nellson, Indian Chase and Free Style rate as the main dangers. The essay begins thus. Brennie improved at this trip last time, although the form is modest. Saintly Thoughts won off today's mark over course and distance in January, so comes into things based on that, while Stuart Williams' Fillameena did not conclusively prove that she stayed at Wolverhampton last time. Lysander's Quest finished nearly five lengths behind Lord Nellson at Folkestone last time, but is three pounds better off now, although the latter has yet to race on the all-weather. Ocean Rock is two pounds better off for the three lengths he finished behind Lysander's Quest at Wolverhampton last time, although he was staying on there and we feel he might have better to come. Tying in certain form lines, you have to say that Indian Chase actually has the beating of both Lysander's Quest and Ocean Rock so, given that he acts here too, you cannot rule him out. Go Free often bags some money but might need some help from the handicapper in order to score, while, given that Free Style is only two pounds above the mark from which he won over 12 furlongs here in July, he too is considered, although he is unproven at today's trip. In conclusion, then, once again the vote goes to Ocean Rock.
Lord Nellsson 9-2 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway to lead 4f out, headed just over 2f out, rallied to lead again just over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Chepstow 2m 2f mdn hcp (6) gf beating Beauchamp Trump (8-7) by 1l, 13 ran.
Indian Chase 7-2jt-fav (9-7) Led, saddle soon slipped, headed over 5f out, lost pace over 4f out, 10th of 12, 32l behind Johnny Rook (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Ink In Gold (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-9) Held up, ridden over 3f out, some headway from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 23l behind Johnny Rook (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Go Free 11-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, 7th of 16, 7l behind Jackie Kiely (9-9) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (6) gd.
Ocean Rock 11-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Aristi (8-11) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Fillameena 4-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Ellina (9-9) at W'hampton 2m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Brennie (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Behind, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out to well over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Compton Eclaire (8-12) at Thirsk 2m hcp (6) gf.
Hana Dee 12-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, squeezed through to chase leaders final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Mpenzi (9-5) at Brighton 1m 4f fll hcp (6) gd.
