held up, driven and headway over 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt and always mid-division
prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
slowly into stride and never on terms
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out
mid-division, driven over 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, chased winner home
held up behind leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
never better than mid-division
Follow My Lead gets the narrowest of votes over Pink Bay, with Tanzani, Orpen Wide and Kirin all likely to have their supporters in a wide-open handicap. Barry Hills usually pays to follow on his visits here and can strike with his only runner at the meeting Follow My Lead who has been very consistent of late. The daughter of Night Shift opened her account in a modest maiden at Windsor in August, but since then has performed with credit in two handicaps, finishing third both times. She was not allowed to get into the lead at Warwick last time but still finished close up behind the winner Willhego, and with master tactician Philip Robinson now in the plate, it will be no surprise if she jumps out and tries to dominate from the start. Pink Bay has been in fine fettle lately but has yet to encounter rain-softened ground, while Tanzani's ability to handle the conditions is also open to question, but he is lightly-raced and there may be more to come from the son of Giant's Causeway. Orpen Wide displayed plenty of stamina when scoring over the course and distance 10 days ago, but he will have to find even more with a six-pound penalty on this ground. Kirin caught the eye when staying on at Redcar and now make his handicap debut. He could easily figure as well, but Follow My Lead has a fair weight and is taken to make all.
Alabama Twist 9-1 (7-13) Slowly into stride, squeezed at start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Rain Stops Play (8-11) at Epsom 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Kirin 6-1 (9-0) Held up, headway when not much room over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Ladeena (8-9) at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Commitment Lecture (9-1) by 1l, 15 ran.
Uncle Bulgaria (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Final Promise (9-2) at Warwick 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Pink Bay 11-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Mr Aitch (9-3) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) frm in Sept.
Wayward Shot (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (6) gd in Sept beating Dispol Isle (9-1) by a shd, 13 ran.
Follow My Lead 13-2 (8-7) In touch, ridden and headway 2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Willhego (8-8) at Warwick 1m hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Monda 25-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept beating Luke After Me (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
