raced wide, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
close up, ridden, outpaced 4f out, driven, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong
chased leader until over 3f out
in touch, driven to chase winner over 3f out until over 1f out
close up, led over 4f out, clear 3f out, eased final furlong, comfortable
soon led, ridden, headed over 4f out, soon weakened
dwelt, in rear, ridden over 6f out, wide into straight over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
held up, headway, not clear run over 3f out, never dangerous
held up in rear, pushed along after 3f, behind final 8f
held up towards rear, wide, headway over 3f out, stayed on to take 2nd approaching final furlong, no chance with winner
Hora has to be on the short-list along with Bugsy's Boy and Botham; Bugsy's Boy is selected. The fitting of blinkers could well bring about improvement from Hora and her connections ensure that she's accorded respect; it would be no surprise to see her go close but a chance is taken with Bugsy's Boy. His supporters will need to forgive a poor display at Kempton but he had appeared to be one to follow when scoring at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start and is given the chance to confirm that impression. Botham ran one of his better races here on his penultimate start and looks sure to have his say in the outcome whilst it's possible that this longer trip could bring about some improvement from Spares And Repairs and El Dee. However, for the selection, we return to Bugsy's Boy.
Spares And Repairs 13-2 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Calculating (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Just Waz (USA) 50-1 (8-8) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, 11th of 13, 18l behind Double Banded (8-10) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Bugsy's Boy 9-4fav (9-7) Led, headed inside final 3f gradually weakened, 9th of 14, 19l behind Snowberry Hill (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Square Dealer 20-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 7f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 11l behind Let It Be (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcap (6) gd in Sept.
Hora 2-1fav (8-9) Led, ridden 6f out, headed over 4f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Victory Quest (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Al Moulatham 33-1 (9-1) Soon led, headed over 5f out, weakened quickly, last of 13, well behind Estate (9-11) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Ice And Fire 9-2 (10-10) Held up, headway over 5f out, hung badly right over 3f out and raced wide, every chance 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 10l behind Cumbrian Knight (11-2) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (6) fbs.
Botham (USA) 8-11fav (9-3) Soon led, headed over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 10l behind Summerofsixtynine (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Sonoma (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway well over 2f out, plugged on under pressure from over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 9l behind Fade To Grey (8-12) at Kempton 2m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
El Dee (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 9l behind Qaasi (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
