mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
mid-division, not much room 2f out, until ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
always behind
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway and not clear run over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, never reach leaders
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out weakened inside final furlong
awkward leaving stalls, prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon quickened clear, eased towards finish
led early, prominent, led again over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, lost place over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
Second Reef is still potentially well treated on his current mark and is selected ahead of Eccollo and Qik Dip. The last named rates as good value on the very best of his efforts so far and, as he still has scope to improve after an encouraging All Weather debut in September, the son of Desert Style is one for each-way backers to note in the betting. Eccollo will carry a 6lb penalty as a result of winning here last week. The extra weight is not an insurmountable barrier at this level and it will come as no surprise to see the Tim Pitt-trained gelding being highly respected by the layers. However, Second Reef also comes here on the back of an improved run of form and, as David Allan knows the gelding very well, everything looks in place for a bold run. The high draw is a concern though; so a minimum stakes approach is advised.
Red Sail 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, challenged and every chance from 2f out until not quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Ruby Legend (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sept.
Uhuru Peak 12-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 16, 1l behind Ruby Legend (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sept.
Monmouthshire 7-1 (9-2) Behind, headway over 2f out, not much room when stumbled badly and rider lost irons, almost unseated rider well over 1f out, not recover, 10th of 13, 16l behind Princess Danah (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Unrestricted 13-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 6f out, not clear run over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Gallego (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 45-70 (6) pol in Mar.
Second Reef 7-1 (9-1) Held up, smooth headway on inner over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Redcar 1m 2f sll (6) frm in Sept beating Thornaby Green (8-8) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Eccollo (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Behind, headway on outer to lead 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Kempton 1m banded stk (7) pol in Oct beating Mythical Charm (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Qik Dip (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, never reached leaders, 4th of 13, 6l behind Princess Danah (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Royal Premier (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, lost place over 6f out, one pace final 2f, 8th of 14, 5l behind Royal Flynn (9-8) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sept.
