Verdict

ACQUIFER is taken to land this handicap at the expense of Convivial Spirit and Inquisitress. The selection showed a decent level of form when finishing a good third at Kempton last time out. He looks more than capable of winning off his current mark and he is therefore a horse to stay on the right side of. Convivial Spirit is another that has every chance of being in the shake up. He has won two races but the second of those was over eighteen months ago. He is clearly not an easy horse to win with but off his current mark he is worth noting for any market moves. Inquisitress won here over eight furlongs on his penultimate start. She was not discredited at Brighton last time out and is another to add to the short list. But for the winner we return to Acquifer.

Formwatch

H Harrison (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 13, 5l behind Minority Report (8-11) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.

Imperial Echo (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, driven and no impression on leaders over 1f out, 6th of 10, 5l behind Our Blessing (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.

Convivial Spirit 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 3l behind Le Chiffre (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.

Musical Script (USA) 3-1fav (8-13) Held up, headway when slightly hampered well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol beating Sarah's Art (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.

Morocchius (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, no impression, 7th of 18, 7l behind Medici Time (9-3) at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gd.

Motu (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) In touch and keen, gradually lost place, behind final 2f, 11th of 12, 11l behind Strike Force (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept.

Inquisitress 9-1 (8-9) Pushed along towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Eleonora (9-7) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.

Kayflaa (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) In touch, out paced over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 25l behind Packers Hill (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f sll (5) gd.

Tignello (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed and hung right over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Izzibizzi (8-12) at Kempton 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol.

Thabaat 25-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 6l behind Rondeau (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.

Acquifer 16-1 (9-3) Slowly away, soon under pressure and well off the pace, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Tous Les Deux (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Lady Bower 12-1 (8-12) Always behind and badly outpaced, last of 8, 37l behind Ballycroy Boy (9-2) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm (6) fbs in Jan.

Avening 14-1 (9-3) Soon well off the pace, no real headway final 2f, 7th of 11, 8l behind Tous Les Deux (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Boldinor 8-1 (9-2) Soon well off the pace, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Tous Les Deux (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.