held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong
slow into stride, towards rear, headway and in touch 6f out, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
slow into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, asserted close home
close up, pushed along 4f out, weakened final furlong
keen led early, tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd close home
Merry Vale has something to prove on her first outing since June having been beaten a long way when third at Doncaster last time. DUBIOUS AFFAIR looks a safer bet returning to novice company having found only one too good in a handicap at Chelmsford last month. Sir Michael Stoute’s filly should also have the beating of the remainder with experience on that form and can finally open her account. Opportunist is a newcomer to note with a long list of winning relatives that includes the high-class sprinter Brando and a Grade 1 winner over today’s trip in the North America.
Byron Green (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 32l behind Mons Star (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Lep Nathaniel gelding out of Liel.
Opportunist Cape Cross colt out of Argent Du Bois.
Polar Cloud Mount Nelson gelding out of Cloud Illusions.
Dubious Affair (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon switched right to challenge, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Lucky Turn (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Just A Touch (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Outpaced, 8th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Gleeful (8-13) at Southwell 7f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Laurentia (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders on outside, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Venture (9-2) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Marmalade Day 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, driven over 3f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 17 1/2l behind Extrodinair (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (5) pol in Oct.
Mercury Dime (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 9l behind Classic Design (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Merry Vale 2-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 11, 11 1/2l behind Sweet Promise (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll stks (5) gd in Jun.
