in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear and edged left inside final furlong, ran on (hand timed)
led 1f, prominent, chased leader over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
in rear, ridden 3f out, headway on rails when not clear run inside final furlong, soon switched right, never able to challenge
chased leaders, edged left over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, pushed wide entering straight, beaten when hung left over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway under pressure over 1f out, never nearer
slowly away, outpaced
not much room soon after start, soon prominent, chased leader 4f out, ridden and edged right entering straight, soon weakened
chased leaders, hampered and lost place over 3f out, no danger after
took keen hold, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, hung left and weakened entering final furlong
prominent, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, went 2nd near finish, no impression on winner
Copperbottomed has been well campaigned in similar contests to this but Jim Boyle's gelding may struggle to give weight away all round under his penalties and a better bet looks to be Mystickhill, who gets the vote with Lord Deevert rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed decent form in handicaps here when last seen in October and, if fit enough for her return, John Balding's filly should take plenty of beating from a decent draw. Mel Brittain's team have been in good form this season so lack of a recent run need not be of concern for his runner Varinia, who has to be respected. Brian Meehan's Wave Hill has given little sign for encouragement this term and of more interest may be Bill Turner's Lord Deevert, who has shown a consistent level of form of late. Mystickhill has plenty going for her though and she is preferred.
Copperbottomed (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 9th of 12, 16l behind Flying Indian (8-10) at Bath 6f 3yo clm (6) gf in May.
Bahamarama (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Jane's Payoff (9-4) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Fraamington 16-1 (8-11) Behind, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 7l behind Maybe I Wont (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 2yo sll (6) pol in Dec.
Hapi 40-1 (9-0) Chased leaders 4f, 9th of 11, 24l behind Longevity (9-0) at Southwell 7f mdn aut stk (5) fbs in May.
Lord Deevert 10-1 (8-5) Held up, raced keenly, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 6l behind Nikolaievich (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo clm (6) gf in May.
Paris Hall 200-1 (9-0) Dwelt, always towards rear, 11th of 13, 29l behind Dubai Meydan (9-0) at Catterick 7f mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Wave Hill (IRE) 11-2 (8-4) Stumbled start, soon mid-division, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 13, 5l behind Hot Bertie (8-11) at Beverley 5f 3yo sll (5) gf in May.
Bertha 9-1 (8-9) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 14l behind Longevity (9-0) at Southwell 7f mdn aut stk (5) fbs in May.
Mystickhill (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, soon tracking leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind High Standing (9-8) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Varinia (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Always behind, 11th of 13, 9l behind Wee Buns (9-7) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
