slowly into stride, went sharply left on leaving stalls, behind and green
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 2f, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
disputed lead after 2f, ridden and slightly outpaced after 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to take 2nd close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
outpaced over 3f out, soon behind
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 2f, ridden 2f out, driven and headway entering final furlong, kept on towards finish
led, joined after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
went right start, soon with leader, ridden halfway, soon weakened
A moderate maiden that can go the way of BRIGADOON over Going French and Maldon Prom. William Jarvis' colt improved upon his solid beginning to land second here last time when no match for the improving Vegas Palace. That rival is now rated 80 though and with nothing of similar calibre in today's line-up the mount of Kieren Fallon should have little trouble in going one better now that he's shown the surface holds no fears, providing the drop back in trip doesn't prove troublesome and we don't expect that it will. Should the favourite disappoint then Going French may be the most likely to take advantage. Tony Culhane's mount has only once finished out of the first three and indeed took third on his one and only start over course and distance back in June. Officially rated 71, the colt is the best of those with an official mark and looks capable of running to it which should at least ask a question of the likely favourite. Maldon Prom is the only other horse in the race that makes serious appeal. This gelding is officially rated just 3lbs inferior to Going French and might just be suited by stepping down in trip now back in maiden company. However, the horse is yet to run here and so with that in mind, as well as looking pretty limited, he may well have to settle for third at best here. If anything is to cause an upset then perhaps it could be Major Monty, a well-bred and unexposed sort from a yard that do well with their two-year-olds. This gelding has had just the one start so far, a well beaten eighth in what wasn't a bad maiden, and Tom Dascombe should know where he stands with our selection as the trainer of Vegas Palace. Adam De Beaulieu is worth a market check being a newcomer making his debut in a poor race but unless he's backed off the boards this can go to Brigadoon.
Adam De Beaulieu (USA) Broken Vow gelding out of Gambling Champ.
Major Monty (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) With leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 12l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
Maldon Prom (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, kept on approaching final furlong, 9th of 20, 7l behind Dubai Set (9-4) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
R Woody 100-1 (9-3) Prominent, outpaced over 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 9l behind Armour (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Safari Camp (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Held up, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 15l behind Tartufo Dolce (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
Brigadoon 10-3 (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, went 2nd well over 1f out, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Vegas Palace (8-6) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Nov.
Going French (IRE) 12-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, soon in touch racing keenly, ridden over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on, no match for winner, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Yer Woman (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-90 (4) pol in Nov.
Dispol Fay (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 8l behind Clear Ice (8-11) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Nov.
