soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, stumbled and lost place over 3f out, not clear run 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on nearest at finish
towards rear, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
with leader, ridden and every chance when hung right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble winner
with leaders on outside until over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
led early, chased leaders to halfway
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakening inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon outpaced
The shortlist here contains of Beckermet, Our Fugitive, Bold Marc, Bold Minstrel, and Nova Tor, with the vote going to Beckermet. The selection's finest hour so far came over course and distance last July. Much as he did not really sustain that level of form towards the end of the campaign, his seasonal return was reasonable enough and, with that under his belt, he can go well today. Bond City and Bold Minstrel are closely weighted on recent all-weather form although the latter has the better Turf form. However, another course and distance winner, Nova Tor, might fare better than the pair of them. She likes to get her toe in and, based on juvenile form, is on a decent mark. Our Fugitive's juvenile form has been boosted this year but he's not the best drawn today, while a further point is that Bold Marc is now eight pounds better off for the length that Westbrook Blue beat it at Thirsk last time, the latter racing from out of the handicap today. Make of all this what you will but, overall, in what is a fairly tight heat, we will side with Beckermet.
Beckermet (IRE) 16-1 Soon led, headed just over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 3l behind Andronikos at Lingfield 6f 3yo lst stk gs in Apr.
Bond City (IRE) 11-4 Tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 5f 2yo stk (C2) pol in Oct beating Cyclical by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Lady Filly 33-1 Outpaced, 8th of 10, 10l behind Indian Maiden at Bath 5f 3yo hcp 0-115 gs in Apr.
Our Fugitive (IRE) 12-1 Led, pressed from over 1f out, driven and headed near finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Ingleton at Newmarket 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (C2) sft in Oct.
Bold Marc (IRE) 20-1 In touch stands' side, led group and overall leader over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Westbrook Blue at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp sft in Apr.
Bold Minstrel (IRE) 10-1 With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Bond City at W'hampton 5f nov stk (D3) pol in Oct.
Nova Tor (IRE) 7-2jt-fav In rear, driven over 3f out, hard ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on under strong pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 5f clm pol in Apr beating Blue Moon Hitman by a nk, 10 ran.
Westbrook Blue 7-1 Chased leaders stands' side, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final fulong, kept on, won at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp sft in Apr beating Bold Marc by 1l, 16 ran.
Oceanico Dot Com (IRE) 16-1 Chased leaders 4f, last of 13, 12l behind Louphole at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) pol in Nov.
Layed Back Rocky 50-1 Soon outpaced, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 10l behind Petite Spectre at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn (D3) pol in Nov.
