held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on
led, headed well over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden well over 1f out, faded final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, held on well towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on towards finish
close up, challenged and every chance 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
With a mark of 77 to begin his handicapping career, PEPONI is selected to break his run of seconds to win this at the main expense of King Of The Moors and Sir George. The selection has been runner-up in three successive maidens, the most recent of which was earlier this month when half-a-length adrift of 78-rated Suited And Booted. That was a smart effort in terms of this race, and with fitness not an issue and the ground likely to suit, he can get off the mark. King Of The Moors was comfortably beaten from this mark last time, but this quicker ground will be more in his favour and he looks capable of showing more this time. Sir George has been ultra-consistent for Ollie Pears and although up 1lb again for a defeat last time, he looks likely to get very competitive with conditions and trip to his liking. Bolodenka continues to find winning difficult despite a drop of around a stone in the weights, but that stat still makes him interesting if he is backed. Bold Cross likes it here and has claims from this mark, though preference is for Peponi.
Stevie Gee (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Hellbender (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Bold Cross (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up in mid division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never in contention, 7th of 11, 8l behind Mountain Cat (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Mujaadel (USA) 12-1 (8-5) Chased leading pair, ridden to challenge when hung left and hampered well over 1f out, weakened and no chance after, 7th of 10, 10l behind Ezdeyaad (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Bolodenka (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 9, 5l behind Celtic Change (8-12) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Peponi 11-4 (10-0) Held up in 6th, pushed along 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, every chance until no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Suited And Booted (9-1) at Windsor 1m mdn auc stks (5) sft.
Sir George (IRE) 4-1fav (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway to track leaders over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 18, 1 3/4l behind Come And Go (9-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Block Party 9-2 (8-11) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 6l behind Jake The Snake (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Harriet's Girl 14-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Day Of The Eagle (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
King of The Moors (USA) 8-1 (8-4) Tracked leader and keen, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Danehillsundance (8-5) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
