led, headed briefly when reluctant to race past paddock bend after the 3rd, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed flat and beaten close home
tracked leaders, weakened from 4th, lost touch next and pulled up before last
mid-division, lost place 4th and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, ridden after 4th, weakened next, soon beaten and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, kept 3rd, ridden 2 out and kept on one pace
always towards rear
tracked leaders, led briefly on bend after 3rd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up after last
towards rear, smooth headway from 4 out to chase leaders next, ridden after last and kept on to lead flat
Heavy ground is a slight concern but it's hard to get away from Smugglers Bay in this contest. Riguez Dancer and Florentino could emerge as the biggest challengers. The selection thrice made the frame on heavy ground on the level which goes some way to allaying concerns about the ground and comfortably sets the standard for those that have raced over hurdles. He was outclassed behind Franchoek last time and a shade disappointing on his penultimate start but has been found a decent opportunity to get his head back in front. Riguez Dancer made a satisfactory debut at Wetherby and should build on that in due course but the suspicion is that the testing conditions are against him and a watching brief is advised. Florentino was well held in three runs on the Flat and on her hurdling bow but her latest run at Musselburgh offered a little more encouragement as she stayed on quite well from the rear. She may find a race but Smugglers Bay should prove hard to beat today.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, jumped right 4th and soon beaten, 7th of 12, 26l behind Franchoek (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Danehill Silver 25-1 (8-7) Disputed lead, led after 2f, headed over 2f out, weakened from 2f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Blu Manruna (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
Goldan Jess (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Mistake 1st, raced keenly towards rear, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 46l behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Karaburan (GER) (9-2) 8th of 10 behind Kyoto (8-11) at Hanover 1m 3f 3yo stk gd in Sept (Flat).
Presque Perdre 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 13, 48l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Riguez Dancer 7-1 (11-0) In touch, led and hit 4 out, headed next, kept on until ridden and no extra approaching last, 4th of 18, 7l behind Furmigadelagiusta (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Soul Angel 100-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 4 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 43l behind Bayonyx (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy.
Zoren (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Prominent until weakened 2 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Pagan Starprincess (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Florentino 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 5th of 9, 14l behind Act Sirius (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
