tracked leaders, not clear run briefly over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well
held up in touch, raced keenly, lost place over 4f out, close under pressure over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
chased leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on but no impression inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
BIG BAY may land the finale for Jane Chapple-Hyam with Nora Mae and Bennelong the most likely dangers. The selection broke his duck at the fifth time of asking when taking a mile maiden at Nottingham in October having disappointed off this mark on his handicap debut prior to that. That effort was however in a big-field class two affair and the colt can take advantage of today's drop in class to show that he remains well enough handicapped. Jamie Spencer takes the ride and with the horse having run well on his only previous try here everything looks in place for a big run today. Nora Mae rates the main danger having finished second at Lingfield on Saturday. That was the horse's first try on an artificial surface and if translating that performance to today's slightly quicker conditions the three-year-old must have a decent chance with her mark unchanged for her last-time-out exertions. Bennelong is another who arrives here in good form having taken second here last time, a performance which followed a win at Southwell. Granted better luck that day Gary Moore's gelding may have indeed won and so off the same mark here he must be taken very seriously. Of the remainder Chapter And Verse looks well enough treated but the drop back to a mile has to be counted as a negative, so a bigger threat may come from former Willy Haggas inmate Sunshine Always, a horse who has often looked up to defying this mark of 81. For the winner though we return to Big Bay.
Big Bay (USA) 2-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 3f out, drew clear with 2nd over 1f out, ridden and headed narrowly 1f out, driven to lead again well inside final furlong, asserted near finish, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Aspro Mavro (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sunshine Always (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Bay Knight (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Stan's Cool Cat (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leader to 8f out, remained close up, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, rallied and stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Tinshu (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f Fillies Handicap (0-90) (3yo) (3) pol.
Chapter And Verse (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Held up, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Tinshu (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Nora Mae (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Led 2f, pressed leader after, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind My Best Bet (8-13) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol.
Bennelong 7-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, not clear run and checked over 1f out, carried head awkwardly after, kept on inside 2nd inside final furlong and ran on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Red Suede Shoes (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Thunderball 8-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Snow Dancer (7-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
