chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division on inside, ran on under pressure inside final furlong
led for 3f, tracked leader, regained lead well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, unable to quicken
slowly into stride, in rear when slightly hampered after 1f, kept on final furlong
always in rear
raced wide, close up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, eased out inside final 2f, led approaching final furlong, pushed out
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, not clear run 2f out, soon switched right, not clear run and switched sharply left over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, gaining at finish
held up when stumbled and unseated rider after 1f
pressed leader, led after 3f to well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear
always struggling in rear
La Colline, Ektimaal and Sun Catcher are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the tentative vote is given to Ektimaal. The selection won a maiden in good style last time out when beating Lopinot and he enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark. He has a fair draw and he is taken to score. La Colline rates the main danger on her best form but she just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with her last time and at likely odds she looks worth taking on. Sun Catcher won well last time out but all his best form is over 6f and he is taken on with this in mind. Josh looks vulnerable under top weight while Will He Wish is from a yard in form and is worth a look in the market. However, for the winner we return to Ektimaal who looks to hold solid claims.
Josh 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Chicken Soup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Will He Wish 10-1 (9-2) Prominent, effort over 1f out, not quicken, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Grimes Faith (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Sun Catcher (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Tracked leader, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Quality Street (7-13) by 1l, 11 ran.
Meditation 40-1 (9-2) Led narrowly to 3f out, soon ridden and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 9l behind Grimes Faith (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Finsbury 10-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, in rear, no impression when hampered inside final furlong, last of 10, 7l behind Buy On The Red (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Speed Dial Harry (IRE) 7-4fav (9-9) Held up, effort over 2f out to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 6, 5l behind Finished Article (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Mister Benedictine 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, driven along over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 6l behind Trimlestown (8-13) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
Ektimaal 13-8 (9-3) Tracked leaders, travelling well over 2f out, nudged along to lead entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol beating Lopinot (9-3) by 1l, 7 ran.
Li Shih Chen 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 10l behind Gallantry (9-13) at York 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Certain Justice (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, never trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Lii Najma (8-5) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
La Colline (GER) 11-10fav (8-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Lii Najma (8-5) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Purus (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders over 4f out, last of 10, 14l behind Lii Najma (8-5) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
True Magic 9-1 (8-6) In rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 10, nk behind Hello Man (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Methusaleh (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 10l behind Wahoo Sam (9-5) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol.
