towards rear, some headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and no impression 1f out, weakened inside last
handy, pushed along halfway and weakened quickly
dwelt and hampered start, in rear, in touch, smooth headway travelling strongly well over 1f out, pushed along 1f out, ran on well, led well inside last, won going away
towards rear, pushed along 2f out, kept on, never threatened
rear mid-division, waiting for gap 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, pushed along and led over 110 yards out, ridden and headed well inside last, no match for winner
pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, gradually weakened
led narrowly, pushed along over 1f out, headed over 110 yards out and faded
mid-division, not clear run well over 1f out, ridden 1f out, ran on, never nearer
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no progress
awkward start, mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, pushed along and switched left 1f out, ridden and stayed on, always held
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, not much room over 1f out and weakened
towards rear, ridden under 2f out, soon weakened
went right and bumped rival start, mid-division, pushed along halfway and gradually faded
bumped start, chased leaders, ridden and dropped away over 1f out
A couple of two-year-olds take on their elders with course and distance winner California Gem preferred to The Thames Boatman. But FAST RESPONSE has relished the turn in the going and scored over track and trip before winning again in heavy ground at Doncaster four days ago. He looks worth sticking with in this having already accounted for Good Luck Fox, Fantasy Master, Count D'Orsay and Blue De Vega. Redcar winner Helvetique is unproven on today’s surface while Tarhib was a losing favourite at Ascot last time and drops down in class.
Fast Response (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) In touch far side, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead overall approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) hvy in Oct beating Designer (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Blue De Vega (GER) 40-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Fast Response (9-4) at Nottingham 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Tarhib (IRE) 10-3fav (8-7) Held up, headway chasing leaders, halfway, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Dream Composer (8-6) at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Count D'Orsay (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Overall leader far side, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Fast Response (8-9) at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Peggy Sioux 33-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden over 2f out, under pressure inside final furlong, soon no extra, 6th of 17, 5 1/4l behind Designer (9-0) at York 5f hcp fll (2) gd in Aug.
Helvetique 9-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden approaching final furlong, soon went clear when hung left, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Redcar 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Prospect (8-8) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Faustus 22-1 (8-4) Chased leader until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Dream Composer (8-6) at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Ey Up It's Maggie 11-1 (8-9) Pushed along to gather stride, mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Kimngrace (8-13) at York 5f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Ventura Flame (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) In rear far side, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 9th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Chipstead (9-6) at Catterick 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Fantasy Master 3-1fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Fast Response (9-4) at Nottingham 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Good Luck Fox (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Fast Response (9-4) at Nottingham 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Four Adaay 13-2 (9-3) Tracked front rank, ridden over 1f out, ran on, not pace to challenge, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind May Blossom (9-6) at Leicester 5f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
California Gem (8-10) 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Secret Angel (8-10) at Deauville 6f lst stks in Oct.
The Thames Boatman 13-8 (9-4) Keen, made all, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 6f stks (5) pol in Oct beating Clipsham La Habana (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
