prominent, led over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt, behind, hard driven before halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on well near finish
led until over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance inside final furlong, kept on
dwelt, behind, headway and not clear run from over 1f out, switched left and shaken up inside final furlong, stayed on well, never nearer
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
in touch, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched right and driven, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon prominent, hung left and not run on over 1f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, every chance entering final furlong, soon one pace
held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, soon no impression
slowly away, always behind, eased over 1f out
A competitive start to the day's proceedings which may see honours go the way of WHISKEY CREEK. Willhewhiz and Charming Tale are two of the more obvious alternatives. Willhewhiz kept on well for pressure to win by a neck here last time for which he has received a 4lb hike in the weights which may be enough to prevent him from following up. Tom McLaughlin understandably keeps the faith rather than partner the selection whom he also rode last time but we have no such burden of loyalty and are happy to jump ship. Whiskey Creek has a little to prove but that should be factored into the price and he has also fared well with the draw which is another bonus. He's on his third trainer already and has slipped down the weights but he's joined a capable yard that has enjoyed some high profile success with Mia's Boy this season; the selection may not be in that class but if they can engender a similar amount of improvement from him then he's certainly capable of landing a race of this nature. Charming Tale represents respected connections and has Spencer aboard for the first time but she's bred to be a miler and this first run at six has an experimental look to it whereas it should be ideal for Whiskey Creek.
Willhewiz 5-1fav (9-0) Always prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating George The Second (9-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Welcome Approach 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, behind and slightly outpaced 3f out, plugged on, 5th of 11, 7l behind Casela Park (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Affirmatively 16-1 (9-4) Raced far side, took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon beaten, last of 12, 21l behind Azygous (9-5) at Folkestone 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sept.
Grizedale (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Always rear, last of 12, 30l behind Stand In Flames (10-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug.
Charming Tale (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Went left start, always towards rear, 10th of 13, 13l behind Billberry (8-12) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Sept.
Whiskey Creek 50-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Conjecture (9-3) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sept.
Milne Bay (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Stumbled start, behind, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, faded near finish, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Billberry (8-12) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Sept.
Nawaaff 10-3fav (8-13) Keen hold in mid-division, effort before halfway, soon one pace and no impression on leader, 5th of 10, 5l behind Todber (8-12) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
River Kirov (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 13, 8l behind Avoca Dancer (9-0) at Brighton 6f sll (6) gd in Sept.
Brigadore 8-1 (9-3) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 6l behind The History Man (10-0) at Thirsk 6f app hcp (5) gs in Aug.
El Potro 9-1 (8-7) Always in rear, last of 7, 19l behind Lake Chini (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcap (5) hvy in Sept.
Quality Street 8-1 (9-5) Towards rear, stayed on steadily inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Tubby Isaacs (9-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Safaseef (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind First Swallow (9-3) at Beverley 5f mdn stk (5) sft in Aug.
Currency 14-1 (9-8) Outpaced and always towards rear, 12th of 15, 11l behind Game Lady (8-12) at Windsor 6f sll (6) gf in Jun.
