held up, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, every chance, no extra inside final furlong and faded towards finish
behind, ridden over 2f out, good headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong and gaining close home
in touch until weakened over 2f out
behind, ridden and hanging right over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, held on well
always towards rear, never a factor
took keen hold in touch, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out
led after 2f until over 4f out, led again over 2f out, pressed final furlong, headed towards finish, lost 2nd final strides
led 2f, stayed prominent, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, led over 4f out until over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway inside final 2f, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
in touch when hampered after 1f, mid-division afterwards, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders over 1f out, not quicken and weakened inside final furlong
We'll take a chance with JONNIE SKULL ahead of the likes of Kladester and True Britannia who have more obvious claims. David Elsworth's horses have a pretty decent record when wearing blinkers for the first time and his juvenile team continues in good form so it may be worth taking a chance that the headgear can transform the form of his Pyrus gelding. Admittedly, it will need to as he has shown precious little in his three starts to date. Kladester has gone up by 10lbs for winning at Southwell so can be opposed on this different surface but there are no worries on that score for True Britannia who is only 5lbs higher for a narrow course and distance success. Sley is one to keep an eye on as is Noble Dictator who very much caught the eye over course and distance when staying on from off the pace under Jamie Spencer. Captain Walcot showed a little more in blinkers last time whilst Andean Margin may be worth one more chance back on this surface but we'll take a complete stab in the dark with Jonnie Skull.
Kladester (USA) 10-3fav (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden halfway and hung left from over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp (5) fbs beating Kristopher James (9-5) by 4l, 9 ran.
Night Lily (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out but not trouble leaders, 4th of 15, 5l behind Final Salute (9-5) at Windsor 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Sley (FR) 5-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up early, rapid headway on outside before halfway, led over 3f out, faded 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 7l behind Spiritual Treasure (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Oct.
Noble Dictator 20-1 (9-1) In rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 4l behind Brooksby (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Harry Raffle 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 10l behind Blazing Buck (8-13) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Aug.
Andean Margin (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden along over 3f, weakened over 2f, 13th of 15, 27l behind Lethal Glaze (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Captain Walcot 10-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 2f out, rallied and led again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, edged left, no extra, 4th of 14, 1l behind Roar of Applause (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol.
True Britannia 20-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol beating Winterbrook King (9-4) by a nk, 14 ran.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Started slowly, soon in midfield, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 12l behind Raaeidd (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (4) pol.
Ain't Talkin' 100-1 (9-3) Reared start, always behind, last of 12, 36l behind Tottie (8-12) at Brighton 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Oct.
Sweet Virginia (USA) 33-1 (7-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 10l behind Becausewecan (9-7) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Kilsyth (IRE) 80-1 (8-9) Steadied soon after start, always in rear after, 9th of 11, 16l behind Fulham Broadway (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
