The veteran La Bacouetteuse won this last year on good going but may struggle on today’s surface. By contrast, SPORTY YANKEE (NAP) is at his best in soft ground as when winning with plenty to spare over 1m5f here recently. This extra distance could bring further progress and he’s preferred to Rock On Bollinski, who won over 2m at Thirsk before running poorly over a longer trip here last time. King Christophe and Braes Of Lochalsh have both been well below par of late and are hard to fancy.
Rock On Bollinski 4-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway halfway to chase leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 29 1/4l behind Impulsive American (9-0) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Braes Of Lochalsh 28-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 7th of 16, 7l behind Nietzsche (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
King Christophe (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Mid-division, slight hampered 4th, ridden in rear of mid-division 4 out, no impression next, 10th of 20, dist behind Peregrine Run (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn gd in Aug.
La Bacouetteuse (FR) 9-1 (9-12) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Transpennine Star (9-9) at Carlisle 1m 6f hcp (6) gs in Sep.
Sporty Yankee (USA) 9-4jfav (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, soon hung left, kept on to lead towards finish, ran on, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (5) sft in Sep beating Rocktherunway (9-11) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
