in touch, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, challenged approaching final furlong, driven to lead final 100 yards
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, rallied to go moderate 3rd over 1f out
tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, driven when challenged approaching final furlong, headed final 100 yards
held up, not far away, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
soon led, headed 4f out, soon ridden along, beaten from 3f out
PROFIT'S REALITY is the oldest of these but he can teach the young ones a lesson by landing this at the expense of Full Toss and Indy Driver. Michael Attwater's gelding has a couple of course victories to his name proving this surface is not a problem and a 3lb rise for the latest of those looks fair so he's taken to go in again. It's interesting that all of the horse's wins have come in small fields and with just five lining up here perhaps Adam Kirby will boss these from the front, tactics which could pay dividends. Full Toss is clear second best in our view and may indeed start favourite. David Evans' gelding has shown progressive form in his brief career to date but has to prove that today's surface and trip are really what he wants and the percentage is to go against him this time with an eye on the future. Indy Driver ran well in a good race last time and took second on his only try here so merits respect and a pound rise in the ratings for that effort last time seems perfectly fair so expect this one to attract his share of support although we feel this trip is his absolute limit and he looks opposable. Gunslinger is unexposed on the level and ran well last time but he'll need a strong gallop to be seen to best effect and that's far from certain in this small field whilst Maria Di Scozia has become disappointing and will need to improve for this switch to Southwell. Such Optimism completes the field but there can't be much optimism where her chances are concerned and this looks best left to the proven course form of Profit's Reality.
Full Toss 11-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, good headway on inside 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken well inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Splinter Cell (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Such Optimism 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, wide and headway to mid-division half way, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 9l behind Leceile (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Profit's Reality (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, soon hard driven, stayed on well under pressure, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Maslak (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Gunslinger (FR) 7-1 (9-7) Settled in rear, not far away, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, driven and ran on strongly to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Aurorian (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Maria di Scozia 16-1 (9-8) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 6l behind Free Tussy (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Indy Driver 4-1fav (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Poyle Meg (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
