tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, effort entering final furlong, kept on, one pace
held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, led final 75 yards, ran on
in rear, switched inside halfway, headway over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, staying on when not clear run near finish
slowly into stride, in rear, not troubled leaders
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, went 3rd near finish
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort when gap closed on inside 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leader after 1f, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
Cape Royal showed some improvement last time out at Wolverhampton when second but is winless from twenty two starts on the all-weather. A tougher race on the Fibresand for Cloth Ears didn't seem to pay dividends when plum last most recently but she seems feasibly weighted for this handicap. CLEAR PRAISE won well at Lingfield by four lengths earlier in the month and gets the vote to follow up from a handicap mark that doesn't look too oppressive. Avonvalley and Stratton Banker look to be the primary dangers and any significant market support is worth paying attention to. However, Clear Praise is nominated to pick up the win.
Six Diamonds 40-1 (9-1) Chased leader far side until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 16, 7l behind Sharpened Edge (9-5) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Triple Dream 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 10l behind Grudge (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Stratton Banker (IRE) 15-8fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, not much room when making headway from over 2f out until inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 12, hd behind Superior Edge (9-4) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sep.
Clear Praise (USA) 2-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, made all, wide on home turn, hung badly right to stands side and driven over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 5f mdn stks (5) pol beating Papageno (9-3) by 4l, 5 ran.
Schoolboy Champ 18-1 (9-1) Went right start, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 14l behind Captain Royale (8-10) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.
Wanchai Whisper 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, towards rear, modest late headway, 7th of 10, 7l behind Love You Louis (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Cloth Ears 100-1 (8-9) Soon led, headed 3f out, driven 2f out, soon edged left and weakened, last of 6, 14l behind Noble Storm (8-11) at Southwell 5f stks (3yo+) (2) fbs.
Fromsong (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Led and keen, ridden and headed final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Dingaan (9-0) at Kempton 6f clm stks (6) pol.
Cape Royal 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Avonvalley 7-1 (9-7) Raced wide, in rear, never near leaders, 10th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Danzoe (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
