tracked leaders and keen, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on well, driven out
dwelt and went left start, held up in rear ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, headway when not much room over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear and pushed along, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, held up behind, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
MY VINDICATION was way below par when tailed off at Kempton this month, but his earlier efforts were so consistent that he's worthy of forgiveness for what was hopefully just a blip. As a three-year-old against his elders, he's arguably open to greater improvement than the likes of Dr Wintringham, whose successes have been on good ground but has solid placed form on conditions as deep as heavy, and his last two performances at Bath show he's in good heart. Both of last term's victories came at this time of year. Bidable enjoys herself here and a fourth course victory is not ruled out, whilst Miss Bootylishes and the unexposed Cross Culture are respected in an open affair. Market support for the latter would be especially noteworthy.
Pat's Legacy (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Led early, soon tracking leader, hard driven over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 18l behind Trip The Light (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Bidable 7-1 (9-5) Awkward leaving stalls, always behind, 9th of 11, 11l behind Kakapuka (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Skyfire 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 6l behind Rustic Deacon (9-4) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Dr Wintringham (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Steadied start, raced keenly, tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 5, ns behind Saddlers Bend (9-1) at Bath 1m fll hcp (0-75) (5) fm in May.
Cotswold Village (AUS) 4-1 (9-7) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and pressed 2f out, soon headed, no impression when weakened to 4th final furlong, last of 4, 7l behind Night Lily (9-13) at Bath 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) fm in Jul.
Mishrif (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Towards rear and pushed along, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 4l behind Rustic Deacon (9-4) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Kentish (USA) 11-8fav (9-2) Made all, ridden over 2f out, found extra when challenged inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 2f clm stks 0-75 (6) pol in Apr beating Slikback Jack (9-4) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Miss Bootylishes 10-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 110 yards, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Epernay (8-12) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
My Vindication (USA) 11-1 (8-10) Pulled hard, soon tracking leaders until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 26l behind Ivan Vasilevich (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Cross Culture (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, driven and headed over 1f out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 20, 8l behind Up In Time (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Sep.
Home Office 25-1 (8-8) Led and soon well clear, reduced lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 35l behind Las Verglas Star (8-8) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Gallego 11-2fav (8-10) Held up in last pair, headway on far rail 5f out, chased leaders halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 11, 9l behind Astrodonna (8-13) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sep.
Urban Kode (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind High Five Society (9-9) at Warwick 1m clm stks (5) gd.
