mid-division, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway to lead on bridle well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
dwelt and towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and stayed on towards finish
towards rear, never a factor
in touch, led well over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towars rear, headway over 3f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Nonrunner
Uhuru Peak gets the vote over Desert Lightning, with Vibrato also seen as a danger. All three of Uhuru Peak's three career wins have been gained under Serena Brotherton, including when the five-year-old was last successful at Carlisle in August. Since then he has suffered two defeats, but the last of them was to the very much in-form Eccollo at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago, and there is nothing of that calibre for him to worry about here. Although this surface is not as fast, he should still take the beating and is preferred to Desert Lightning. The latter pulled much too hard when beaten at Wolverhampton last time and had previously won over 10-furlongs at Yarmouth, so may be a bit tapped for toe here. Vibrato won a banded race here in October but has more to do now, while the market should be watched for the chances of the rest. For the winner we return to Uhuru Peak. 110 Blythe Spirit is the pick over the likes of Borzoi Maestro, Larky's Lob and Bahamian Bay to name but three. This looks pretty wide-open, but Blythe Spirit appears to improving bit-by-bit so may be worth supporting today. Richard Fahey's charge has not won for over two years, but is now around 20lb lower in the ratings, and judged by the way that he faded a furlong out on his last visit here seven-days ago, is worth trying back over the minimum trip. Borzoi Maestro did not beat much over the course-and-distance three weeks ago, but knuckled down to his task to make all, and will no doubt try and match strides with the selection who should have too much power for him. Larky's Lob also showed signs of areturn to form when narrowly beaten at Lingfield last month. He too was up there throughout, and so it is safe to say that there should be no lack of pace on here. Bahamian Bay has been in and out, but definitely goes well round here. He has a few pounds to find with Blythe Spirit though, and it is the latter that is taken to prevail.
Cabourg (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Happy as Larry (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Uhuru Peak 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Eccollo (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Doctor Dennis (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along, behind, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, 5th of 11, 4l behind Guadaloup (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcap (6) fbs.
Fulvio (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, over 4f, 12th of 13, 9l behind Sincerely (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Paso Doble 7-2jt-fav (8-7) Chased leaders, outpaced over 4f out, 6th of 14, 9l behind Formidable Will (9-0) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs.
Benny The Ball (USA) 8-1 (8-6) Chased leader, joined leader briefly halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 3l behind Border Artist (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Vibrato (USA) 11-4 (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway to go 3rd 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 3l behind Preskani (8-12) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
Desert Lightning (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 11, 5l behind Speagle (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) std.
