in touch and keen, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, switched right and headway 2f out, kept on, not troubled winner
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, hard ridden and hung left from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway and switched right over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out
led, headed after 1f, challenged leader and led again over 2f out, kept on
tracked leaders, led after 1f, pressed and headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Top Ticket can improve from his seasonal reappearance to win this at the expense of Brexca and Celtic Dragon. The selection has run well on all of his three outings to date and caught the eye when second to Pentathlon at Wolverhampton. He steps up an extra furlong today which will be in his favour and with further improvement still to come he will be difficult to oppose. Brexca has his first outing of the new flat season and looked to be a fast improver as a two year old finishing second on his latest outing at Newbury. That means he is a novice all this year and can be competitive in some three year old handicaps. Whether or not he is good enough to win here he will still be a horse to follow in the future. As will Celtic Dragon who showed promise last year and will be better and more mature with a winter on his back so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Top Ticket.
Better In Heaven 33-1 (9-3) Led until headed 4f out, pushed along 3f out, chased leader to 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out, last of 9, 13l behind The Which Doctor (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Brexca (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Robby Bobby (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Byblos 40-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 15l behind Pampas Cat (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gd.
Celtic Dragon 11-4fav (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Call of Duty (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
King's Alchemist 20-1 (9-3) Held up toward rear, ridden, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 9l behind Born Tobouggie (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) sft.
King of Pentacles 50-1 (9-3) Prominent until 2f out, last of 15, 24l behind Whistledownwind (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Little Rococoa 100-1 (9-0) Started very slowly, went right start, always struggling in rear, tailed off from 3f out, last of 11, 40l behind Magnitude (9-3) at Warwick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Mouse White 100-1 (9-3) In rear, never nearer, 6th of 9, 19l behind Glorious Gift (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) sft.
Top Ticket (IRE) 6-5fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven halfway, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Pentathlon (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) pol.
Burry Green Averti filly out of an unraced mare.
Calamansac Alhaarth filly out of a moderate racemare.
Houri (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 7th of 17, 5l behind Cruel Sea (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) gd in Oct.
Poppy Gregg Tamure filly, half-sister to 1m4f winner No Question.
Civitas Filius (USA) Proud Citizen colt out of winning sprinter Saltinella.
