in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer
led early, soon in mid division, headway and hung left over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led 7f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra and lost two places well inside final furlong
mid-division, not much room on inside and lost place over 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish
prominent, ridden when not much room on inside over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
prominent when badly hampered well over 7f out, soon rear, ridden 4f out, well beaten over 2f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off
headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, weakened over 2f out
soon led, headed 7f out, tracked leader, ridden to lead well over 1f out, hung left, ran on well
VENUTIUS can follow up a recent victory at the expense of Be A Devil and Boquito. Ed McMahon's charge went into many notebooks earlier on in the season so it is a surprise to us that it took him so long to put a winning effort together. The handicapper has not taken too many chances with this mark but the horse looks progressive. Be A Devil posted a 12/1 shock last week and is sensibly sent out under a penalty before the assessor can react. Boquito has proved something of a Kempton specialist in the past and while on the upgrade, we are worried that he has not shown a great deal in the past when encountering left handed tracks. Kensei is a beautifully bred colt in comparison to many of these but winning has proved a bridge too far at present. However, a perusal at his defeat at Lingfield reveals that he was probably unfortunate to run up against a horse that has gone on to be placed in a decent Doncaster event before obliging next time around at Ascot. Epic won a weak Beverley maiden before offering not a great deal next time out as this course. It would be folly to discount any Godolphin inmate at the moment following their golden run of success. Nafura will be tried in first time cheekpieces this evening. A Pocketful Of Rye belied big odds to run a solid race at Lingfield and is accordingly watched in the market on handicap intro. Having considered the alternatives, Venutius is the recommendation.
Kensei (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) Keen, held up in touch, headway 2f out, soon chased winner, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Pleasant Day (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Aug.
Boquito (IRE) 7-4fav (8-13) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 4l behind White Dart (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Venutius 7-4fav (8-8) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol beating Flaming Miracle (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Miss Smilla 9-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra and lost 3rd post, 4th of 6, 5l behind In The Slips (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 2yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Epic (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Wild Rose (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
If I Were A Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway towards centre over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 8l behind Ransom Note (8-8) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Be A Devil 12-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Pat Seamur (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
A Pocketful Of Rye (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division on outer, stayed on down outside inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 6th of 12, 6l behind Timepiece (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol.
Dr Mathias 9-1 (9-2) Behind, outpaced 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 7l behind Wild Rose (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Springwell Giant (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Held up, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 13, 2l behind Daniella De Bruijn (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
Nafura 8-1 (9-0) Prominent early, mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, no headway, 7th of 13, 11l behind Silent Secret (9-0) at Beverley 7f 2yo stks (5) gf in Sep.
