broke well, immediately steadied, raced keenly, always behind after
slowly to stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd last strides
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 1f out, edged left and no extra well inside final furlong
always prominent, switched right just over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well comfortably
mid-division, hard ridden and effort over 1f out, never nearer
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened wll inside final furlong
held up, always towards rear
held up in rear, ridden well over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden and not much room on inside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, soon pressing leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, lost 2nd last strides
Last time out winners Dazzling Begum and Leyte Gulf are both respected but neither have outstanding claims under an increased burden this time so instead we go for a potential improver in CAPE MARIEN who could progress past her current mark. This will only be the filly's third start in the handicap ranks and she seemed to improve for her second run in this sphere when finding just one to good. It is a concern that her mark has gone up three pounds despite that defeat but given that she is unexposed and could improve for the extra yardage we'll take a chance with her. Dazzling Begum has a seven pound penalty to shoulder after taking advantage of a nice looking mark last time and although the victory was a comfortable one he is yet to win under this much weight. Leyte Gulf is up five pounds for winning over this, his optimum, trip last time and is entitled to go well again with the form working out from that race. Fenners and Sitwell are both interesting contenders at the weights but taking our attention most is Cape Marien.
Bold Adventure 7-1 (8-8) Held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Gifted Leader (9-4) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 16-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep beating Debdene Bank (9-8) by 1l, 13 ran.
Mae Cigan (FR) 5-1 (8-7) Held up, outpaced 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never near leaders, 5th of 7, 7l behind Trip The Light (9-10) at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Dazzling Begum 6-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, good headway on inside over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, ridden clear inside final furlong (hand timed), won at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep beating Am I Blue (9-1) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Cape Marien (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leader after 2f, until over 5f out, went 2nd again over 2f out, driven and every chance approaching final 1f, outpaced by winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Rowan Tiger (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Sitwell 9-4 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 6l behind Fantino (8-7) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Stormy Morning 6-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside 7f out, pushed along to chase leaders 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 17l behind Perception (9-4) at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sep.
Apache Fort 16-1 (9-13) Prominent early, soon settled in mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 11l behind Snowberry Hill (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Silent Lucidity (IRE) 18-1 (9-9) Dwelt, behind, some late headway, never nearer, 7th of 13, 16l behind Inspector Clouseau (10-0) at Catterick 1m 4f am hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Pertemps Power 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Aureate (11-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am sell stks (6) pol in Jun.
Fenners (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Simple Jim (9-0) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Galiotto (IRE) 9-4fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 5f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Largem (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Sep.
Blockley (USA) 5-1 (11-8) Slowly away, in rear, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 9, 18l behind Sky Quest (11-6) at Windsor 1m 4f am hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
