tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
made virtually all, ridden and joined inside final furlong, kept on gamely near finish
held up last, progress on rail when hung left from over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in 4th, tracked leading pair over 2f out, strong challenge and upsides winner inside final furlong, no extra and held near finish
All five runners have something to prove here so it's hard to be confident but OPUS MAXIMUS is suggested ahead of Hazzard County and Masai Moon. The selection is just a pound higher than when last successful just over a year ago and is fully effective at this trip. He was a shade disappointing over course and distance last time but this is a little easier and he may just have needed a couple of runs to reach fever pitch. Masai Moon hasn't won since 2008 but is finally receiving some much-needed leniency from the handicapper and should be able to take advantage of that before long but has never won beyond seven furlongs although it must be noted that he hasn't had many opportunities. At least he has won on grass which is more than can be said of Hazzard County, who didn't appear to give his rider much assistance at Lingfield last time. Prohibition has been struggling at Southwell but the handicapper hasn't eased his turf mark whilst First Bay is tried in a tongue tie on his first run on the level for this yard.
Masai Moon 7-1 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Trans Sonic (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-90) (3) fbs.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 5l behind Mr Hichens (8-12) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Prohibition (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Led, driven and headed over 2f out, soon hung left and weakened, 9th of 11, 23l behind Ours (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
First Bay (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Admiral Dundas (9-5) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm stks (4) gd in Sep.
Hazzard County (USA) 4-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge and hung left 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Realt Na Mara (9-13) at Lingfield 7f ladies am hcap 0-75 (5) gf.
