keen, in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd close home
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
led early, in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
The shortlist picks itself really and contains Lisfannon, Balik Pearls, Melody Maker and Charming Ballet, with the vote given to Lisfannon. A 60,000 guineas purchase, the Barry Hills-trained Lisfannon was an eyecatching fourth to Ten Downing Street at Bath on her debut, and she can build on that here. Balik Pearls hasn't built on her first two starts on her latest two, but dropping back to this trip and the application of blinkers could inspire better. And, to be fair, she wasn't beaten far by a decent type, Erytheis, at Newmarket last time. Melody Maker showed promise when fifth over course and distance on her debut, and is another to consider. Charming Ballet has shown form enough to be considered, and the going may have been against it at Lingfield last time, and Clive Brittain's Alwariah is probably better than so far shown. Finally, Alistair John sold for a lot more as a two-year-old than as a foal, so must have something likeable about it. However, for the selection, we will stick with Lisfannon.
Alistair John Komaite gelding out of 7f & 1m winner Young Rosein.
Charming Ballet (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) With leaders, ridden and jinked right entering final furlong, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 11l behind Pommes Frites (8-9) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Sept.
Obergurgl (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 17l behind Give Me The Night (8-13) at Catterick 5f nov stk (5) gd in Oct.
Wednesdays Boy (IRE) 100-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 12l behind Orchard Supreme (8-7) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft.
Alwariah 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders until weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 8l behind Colmar Supreme (8-9) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Oct.
Balik Pearls 40-1 (7-12) Slowly away, soon pushed along in rear, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Erytheis (8-8) at Newmarket 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) gs in Oct.
Imperial Gem (IRE) 100-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 17, 14l behind Misphire (8-7) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Oct.
Lisfannon 28-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, bumped start, well behind, headway centre over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Ten Downing Street (9-0) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Melody Maker 20-1 (8-9) Held up, switched left over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, stayed on close home, never nearer, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind What Do You Know (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Oct.
Tequila Rose (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never near to challenge, 6th of 13, 15l behind Polliwilline (8-11) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) gs in Sept.
Vino Efisio filly, full sister to middle-distance winner Stephano.
Mighty Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 12th of 14, 13l behind Los Cabos (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
