mid-division, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, unable to trouble winner
held up in touch on outside, ridden over 2f out, lost place when carried right over 1f out, weakened
led early, tracked leaders, lost place on inside over 5f out, headway from 2f out, led 1f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortably
soon led, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
took keen hold, prominent, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, took keen hold, ridden and brief effort over 1f out, no impression, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten over 1f out
held up in touch, took keen hold, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
ridden away from stalls, soon prominent, lost place over 1f out, weakened
tracked leaders, switched right and effort over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on
Irish Optimism won his first handicap with a victory at Pontefract last time and makes his debut on the all-weather. Destroyer’s only win so far came over 7f at Sandown though he was placed over track and trip three weeks ago when ahead of Mezzotint. ILZAM won at Wolverhampton in July and was returning from a short break when not beaten far over course and distance recently. Marco Botti’s charge should be thereabouts again while David O’Meara’s duo Marbooh and With Pleasure both won earlier in the year with jockey bookings suggesting the former is preferred.
Mezzotint (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 13, 3l behind Feed The Goater (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Boots And Spurs 11-1 (9-4) In touch and pushed along, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 19, 8 1/2l behind Bertiewhittle (9-9) at York 7f hcp stks (4) gd in Oct.
Irish Optimism (IRE) 5-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, closed 2f out, raced a little awkwardly but picked up well to lead over 1f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gf in Sep beating Kiwi Bay (9-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Slovak (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Led over 6f out, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, last of 5, 3 1/4l behind First Experience (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (4) pol in May.
Marbooh (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Raced wide held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 24 1/2l behind Zwayyan (9-5) at Haydock 1m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
With Pleasure 16-1 (9-2) Held up in last trio, plugged on final furlong, never threatened, 6th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Zealous (9-4) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Le Roi Du Temps (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, chased leader after 1f, ridden and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 7th of 17, 3 3/4l behind Sovereign Bounty (9-9) at Thirsk 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Prosecute (FR) 33-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up, in rear, took keen hold, not clear run and switched right 2f out, never threatened, 10th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Weekend Offender (8-13) at York 1m hcp stks (2) gd in Oct.
Eltham 66-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, close up, lost place 4f out, at Newmarket 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) gf in Oct.
New Street (IRE) 22-1 (9-12) Keen tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 7 3/4l behind Absolute Zero (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Show Me Again 66-1 (9-5) Took keen hold in last pair, never a factor, 9th of 13, 6 1/2l behind Feed The Goater (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Palpitation (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Encore Moi (8-11) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Destroyer 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, one pace in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Feed The Goater (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Ilzam (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up, towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Wakame (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
