chased leader to 7f out, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, led final 100 yards, driven out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steady start, held up in last place, headway on inside from over 1f out, pressed leaders inside final furlong, stayed on
close up, chased leader 7f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, came centre from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up mid-division, improved 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon headed and kept on
An interesting stayers' handicap where PUY D'ARNAC is taken to land the prize, while Bank On Benny is among others with a squeak. The selection has looked progressive over a trip and came back to form with a heavy ground Ayr win over a shade further last time. This still looks an ideal sort of distance, although the surface is the big imponderable as he has never been tried on it in public before and that should serve as a note of caution. Bank On Benny carries a 6lb penalty for a Wolverhampton success last time out. Paul D'Arcy retains the blinkers that clearly had the desired effect and if they continue to work then he'd have a cracking chance. Bassinet has not yet been tried over this far, being largely kept to 1m 4f, but she is a half-sister to a French winner over 1m 7f, so she is not without hope. Apache Fort does not convince that he stays, while Turban Heights was not stopping at the end of Southwell's 12f last time and if she is as effective here then she would look like short list material. Puy D'Arnac is the suggestion here.
Quince (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, struggling 3f out, edged left over 2f out, last of 11, 23l behind The Last Drop (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Oct.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 3-1fav (9-8) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy beating Mighty Moon (9-9) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Turban Heights (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, good headway to chase leader 4f out, led 3f out, pressed from over 1f out, driven and stayed on strongly, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Brave Mave (8-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Bassinet (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Press The Button (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Clear Reef 9-1 (9-13) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 4f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 9l behind City Stable (9-1) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Apache Fort 20-1 (8-13) In touch, chased winner and effort just over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Press The Button (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Bank On Benny 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, clear over 2f out, unchallenged after, ridden out, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Pseudonym (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
