always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on
slowly into stride, hampered during start, no impression from halfway
close up, weakened final furlong
dwelt, always behind
chased leaders, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, some headway on outer over 1f out
in touch, weakened over 1f out
behind, stayed on from over 1f out
chased leaders, one pace final furlong
towards rear, soon outpaced
went right start, made all, stayed on well
always behind
mid-divison, weakened halfway
A very open looking opener, with CONJECTURE heading our shortlist, in front of Joyeaux and Grimes Faith. The selection won last time out over six furlongs at Brighton, and won't want it too soft. Along with Obe One and Spirit of Coniston he's a course and distance winner. Robin Bastiman's daughter takes the ride and can claim a very handy five pounds, as do a number of these apprentices. Joyeaux has to defy top weight status, carrying a six pound penalty for a recent success at Catterick, which couldn't be followed up at Southwell. That may have been down to the surface. Grimes Faith hasn't been able to land a blow of late despite running well. He's won off a much higher mark than this in the past, and will be comfortable with cut in the ground. A number here have chances, but we'll side with Conjecture. (Chris Cooper)
Joyeaux 11-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 8th of 14, 2l behind Guto (7-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Grimes Faith 4-1fav (9-3) Tracked leader far side, driven to lead group 2f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed, no extra well inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Guto (8-4) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy in Oct.
Fire Up The Band 14-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 12l behind Godfrey Street (9-0) at Catterick 5f clm (6) hvy.
Conjecture 9-1 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sept beating Kyllachy Storm (8-10) by 2l, 15 ran.
Finsbury 8-1 (9-3) Soon held up in rear, headway 1f out, staying on when hampered well inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4l behind Siren Sound (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Spirit of Coniston 15-2 (8-5) Prominent, ridden halfway, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Invincible Lad (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Lambency (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Behind, ridden over 1f out, headway to chase winners entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 2l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
Quicks The Word 8-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Johnston's Glory (9-1) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
Obe One 12-1 (11-6) Behind, headway over 1f, never trouble leaders, 8th of 14, 10l behind Whozart (11-3) at Catterick 5f amt hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Lithaam (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Raced wide towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind The Hoofer (8-13) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Sunley Sovereign 16-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear and pushed along stands side group, never dangerous, 13th of 16, 7l behind Top Bid (9-2) at Nottingham 5f hcp (6) hvy.
Tenancy (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Soon after start when unseated rider in race won by Megalo Maniac (8-12) at Southwell 6f app hcp (6) fbs in Oct, 13 ran.
Optical Seclusion (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 11l behind Beechside (8-12) at Newcastle 5f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept '07.
Seafield Towers 66-1 (7-11) Always behind, last of 13, 12l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
