in touch, ridden along over 3f out, driven when weakening over 1f out
always rear division
tracked leaders, led 2f out, headed when weakening entering final furlong
towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, never reached challening position
led, headed 2f out, remained in touch, driven to regain lead entering final furlong, headed inside and no extra close home
behind, pushed along over 6f out, never dangerous
held up behind leaders, ridden along 4f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
towards rear, pushed along 5f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
The majority of Charlotte Vale's wins have come on ground with some cut in and therefore she gets the vote ahead of Hypoteneuse. The last-named got his angles right when scoring at Bath last time out on rain-softened ground but he gave his rider a few problems that day and still looks very babyish. Therefore, whilst we acknowledge that there is still plenty of improvement to come, we will side with experience over potential. Charlotte Vale is a course and distance winner, handles soft ground and stays well. Jockey Greg Fairley can claim a valuable three pounds and that may sway the balance in her favour. Prelude rates a danger if reproducing his recent win, whilst Sudden Impulse looks weighted up to the hilt, whilst Blushing Hilary returns from a break and should be watched in the market. Music Review is unexposed and shapes as if there is more to come, however Charlottle Vale is taken to defy top-weight.
Charlotte Vale 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Bogside Theatre (8-8) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (4) gs.
Sudden Impulse 9-4fav (9-10) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Red River Rebel (8-11) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy.
Hypoteneuse (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, steady headway over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Bath 1m 4f 3yo mdn hcp (5) gs beating Duty Free (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Blushing Hilary (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 4f out, every chance when edged right and bumped over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Santando (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Prelude 4-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, in touch, progress to go 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) hvy beating Court Of Appeal (9-9) by 5l, 6 ran.
Saluscraggie 7-2 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Artless (10-1) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (5) gs.
Its Moon (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Phreeze (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Music Review 12-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway 7f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Bollin Felix (9-0) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) hvy.
