Verdict
Noguchi didn't feature on his British debut at Goodwood but it would be no surprise to see a vastly improved display with that run under his belt and his yard in terrific form. The market will no doubt tell us more but he remains something of an unknown quantity at this stage and preference is for SPECTAIT. The four-time course winner has been dropped by 2lbs following his latest run over an inadequate trip to allow him to slip into this handicap at the top of the weights and he should be all the sharper for that outing. She's A Character may improve for the switch to this surface and cheekpieces but a bigger challenge should come from Veroon who has made the frame in both runs here and must go close whilst Norwegian Dancer is not without claims.
Formwatch
Spectait 16-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along and outpaced in rear, never a threat, 9th of 10, 10l behind Hajoum (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sep.
Ahlawy (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Slowly into stride, ridden and struggling 4f out, some modest headway, 8th of 13, 13l behind Dream Of Fortune (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Cobo Bay 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and hung left from 3f out, weakened soon after, eased, 14th of 16, 20l behind South Cape (9-7) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Noguchi (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Steadied in rear, never a factor, 13th of 16, 11l behind Sarah Park (9-2) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Veroon (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, led briefly over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 4l behind Bagber (8-12) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
She's A Character 7-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, soon chased leaders, pushed along well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 14l behind Al Farahidi (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Norwegian Dancer (UAE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 4l behind South Cape (9-7) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Lastkingofscotland (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 8th of 16, 5l behind South Cape (9-7) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
