held up towards rear, blundered 4th, headway 6th, hung right from 2 out, stayed on flat, just failed to get 2nd
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, went 2nd after next, challenged on bit after 2 out, led last, ridden clear when edged left towards finish
prominent, pushed along approaching 6, not fluent and weakened next, mistake 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
always prominent, raced keenly, led after 7th, hit 2 out, not fluent and headed last, no extra flat
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 6, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, raced keenly, led after 3rd, not fluent 6th, ridden and headed after next, weakened approaching 2 out
led, mistake 3rd, soon headed, remained prominent, weakened after 7th, mistake 3 out
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, never near leaders
There is plenty to recommend SPANISH CONQUEST and he gets the vote over Akram and Moment Present. Giles Hawkins is making a name for himself and his 7lbs claim is a big plus for our selection. He ran up a sequence earlier in the year and he sweated up badly before the start last time which was probably an excuse for the way that he went out like a light when the race got competitive. He is one to note in the preliminaries, but if all seems well with him then he can run a big race. Akram finished third behind Harry Tricker at Sandown earlier in the month when he had his limitations exposed against a couple of useful sorts. He should be competitive today but we think he has a little to find to get the better of our selection. Moment Present shaped as though the handicapper had his measure at Fontwell when last seen out in September when he finished third behind Lady Hillingdon. Solway Bay needs a longer trip than this to be seen at his best but he remains in decent form and should run his race. There are question marks over most of these and we will put forward Spanish Conquest as the most solid option.
Moment Present (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up in touch, effort and chased leaders 3 out, stayed on, never on terms, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Lady Hillingdon (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, chased leader next, 1 length 2nd and edged left approaching last, weakened towards finish, 5th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Dantari (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Ovthenight (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Raced wide in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 23l behind Zabeel Palace (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Akram (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Harry Tricker (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Spanish Conquest 7-2fav (10-9) Prominent, disputed lead 6th, led briefly after 3 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 13, 7l behind Tritonville Lodge (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Golden Alchemist 14-1 (11-11) Held up, well off the pace until 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on flat, nearest finish, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Le Corvee (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Solway Bay 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, 1 length down in 2nd when hit last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tarvini (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Kings Rock 16-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Wogan (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May '08, 16 ran.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 41l behind Wise Men Say (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Strath Gallant 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 9, 34l behind Overserved (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb '08.
Ballymacduff (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, keen, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 5th of 16, 13l behind King In Waiting (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
