tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led 1f out, driven and ran on
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leader until ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
raced wide, held up, keen and headway to mid-division over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression
soon led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on
in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never nearer
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
always in rear
Both Istiqdaam and Dancing Welcome are on form but JUST TIMMY MARCUS goes well here and looks well treated in this handicap and gets the vote. The lightly raced selection races almost exclusively at this venue and has scored twice in six visits. He races off a pound higher than when finding just a subsequent winner too good last time and he won under a similar load earlier this year. Istiqdamm was only just headed over course and distance on his last outing when three pounds better off. That rise takes his burden to 11bs more than he carried to victory three starts ago and that might be telling. Dancing Welcome gets on well with his young pilot and given that pilot's claim he is still weighted to go close. Crystallize needs to be considered now back below his last winning rating but Just Timmy Marcus is on better form and is the selection.
Istiqdaam 11-10fav (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 11, nk behind Dash Back (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Lady Rockfield (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Towards rear, short of room 2f out, soon moderate 7th and kept on without threatening, 5th of 14, 6l behind Curl Cat (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol in Nov.
Just Timmy Marcus 6-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Silver Guest (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Diapason (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Pulled hard in rear and not much room soon after start, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 9l behind Swift Chap (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Striker Torres (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong, 10th of 14, 10l behind Steel Stockholder (7-13) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
All of Me (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and weakened, 10th of 14, 12l behind Lord Kenmare (9-7) at Dundalk 7f hcp 50-70 pol in Sep.
Crystallize 8-1 (9-4) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 11, 8l behind Istiqdaam (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Luckydolly (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Soon mid-division, ridden and carried right from under 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1l behind Boynagh Joy (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Dancing Welcome 9-2fav (8-5) Raced wide, in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Copperwood (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Valentino Swing (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Dwelt, in rear, not clear run over 2f out, switched left, good progress over 1f out, edged right but ran on to go 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Misaro (9-7) at Kempton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 16-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Great Charm (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Obe Brave 14-1 (9-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, led under 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Boynagh Joy (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
