chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
behind, struggling 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
behind, blundered 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened 5th, 8th and well behind when unseated rider last
took keen hold, led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
behind, ridden when unseated rider 3rd
chased leader until ridden 3 out, weakened soon after next
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra run-in
in touch, slightly hampered 1st, every chance and upsides when went left 2 out, held before last, one pace run-in
always behind, mistake 4th, soon tailed off
towards rear, weakened under pressure after 5th
In the opener, Mahogany Blaze gets the vote ahead of Victorias Dream and Reaching Out. Based on his Wetherby second to Lankawi last time, the selection looks a leading player here, although his stable could be in better form. Original Fly's Newbury third last time grants him respect. Victorias Dream's Sandown debut third means that he has to be seriously considered, while Altenberg is very well-bred and could be interesting. As previous winners, Prime Contender and Reaching Out, who spoiled his chance with some sloppy jumping last time, have to be considered. Asaateel actually ran well for a long way at Newbury last time. David's Symphony was behind Reaching Out when he won at Huntingdon, while Golden Square's run at Leicester last time gives him a shout. It would be no surprise to see Heathcote take to this game but, overall, we will side with Mahogany Blaze.
Prime Contender 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft beating Take A Mile (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Reaching Out (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Held up, blundered 3rd, ridden and some headway after 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Kalmini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Nov.
Altenburg (FR) 5-4fav (8-13) Dwelt, raced keenly and soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 4th of 7, 10l behind Ellerslie Tom (8-13) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
A Qui Le Tour 50-1 (11-0) In touch when fell 4 out in race won by Sasso (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Asaateel (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 14, 34l behind Prize Fighter (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd.
David's Symphony (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Left in lead 1st, soon headed and hampered by loose horse, stayed prominent, weakenedg 5th, 7th of 16, 29l behind Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Golden Square 11-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 14, 11l behind Caribou (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft.
Greenacre Legend 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, 9th of 13, 36l behind Milan Deux Mille (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (H) sft.
Heathcote 40-1 (9-5) Pulled hard, stumbed after 2f, always behind, last of 12, 44l behind Maggie Tulliver (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug (Flat).
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 4 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Lankawi (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Original Fly (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, outpaced 2 out, stayed on to take distant 3rd near finish, 3rd of 16, 13l behind Restless D'artaix (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Victorias Groom (GER) 5-1 (10-12) In touch, headway to chase winner and hit 2 out, one pace and no impression flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Beauchamp Twist 6-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, steady headway over 3f out, staying on when not clear run inside final 2f, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind Anniversary Guest (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 7f stk (7) gf in Sept (Flat).
Joli Classical (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened soon after next, 7th of 11, 23l behind Tora Bora (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (E) sft.
Jubilee Dream 33-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 14, 5l behind Willhego (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
Just Beware 11-1 (9-12) Led, headed after 1st, remained in touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 7th of 9, 19l behind Reaching Out (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
The Chequered Lady 12-1 (8-2) With leader, 4f out, weakened rapidly over 3f out, soon tailed off, last of 6, well behind Without A Trace (8-1) at Windsor 1m 4f stk 0-70 (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
