held up, ridden and stayed on from over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway to lead over 1f out, all out
held up in touch, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, no extra
held up, headway over 1f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up behind, stayed on from over 1f out
Short list material for the opener is in the form of King Of Connacht, Bestowed, Join Up and Head First, and the vote goes to BESTOWED. The David Evans-trained gelding appreciated the first-time visor when winning here a week or so ago over course and distance. He has gone up 3lbs for that success, during which his rider lost his whip, he does not know how to run a bad race here, and is fancied to make that necessary improvement. Join Up represents a yard going well and acts on all the Polytrack surfaces. A Lingfield winner over a mile two starts ago, he ran with plenty of credit in defeat here last time from today's mark of 52 and should again be on the premises. Head First was a course and distance winner here last month, and with a 3lb rise she returned here to finish three lengths adrift of Climate last time. She is lightly-raced and open to improvement, so could go very well. King Of Connacht did not find the visor as effective second-time after winning in it here earlier in the month, and he was comfortably beaten from this mark last time so now has a bit to prove. Royal Society did not get home over further last time and this drop back in trip looks ideal for the course and distance scorer. The form of that win has also worked out well, with the runner-up coming out and winning since, so he is entitled to have a say. Inside Story now looks to be on a very handy mark and should be monitored for market support, but we will side with Bestowed.
Spinning Ridge (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Soon behind, 11th of 12, 28l behind Topcroft (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
King of Connacht 11-1 (9-1) Prominent, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Desert Vision (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Bestowed 7-4fav (8-6) Tracked leaders and keen, stayed on inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol beating Eastern Gift (9-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Make Amends (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 12l behind Resentful Angel (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Chia (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) In rear, never troubled leaders, 8th of 13, 4l behind Coolnaharan (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Inside Story (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, outpaced 4f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 22l behind Thunderstruck (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Royal Society 4-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 7l behind Iguacu (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Head First 3-1fav (9-1) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 3l behind Climate (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Very Distinguished 7-2 (9-1) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along over 3f out, struggling over 2f out, last of 7, 14l behind Jiggalong (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Join Up 7-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, wide straight, ridden and hung left over 1f out, chased winner soon after, no impression, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Stark Contrast (USA) 11-4fav (8-12) Raced wide mid-division, headway to track leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Batchworth Blaise (8-6) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Sairaam (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 7th of 11, 5l behind Hard Ball (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Terminate (GER) 25-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 15l behind Edas (10-8) at Musselburgh 1m 1f am hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
