held up in last pair but in touch, pushed along on outside 3f out, chased leader inside final 2f, driven to take narrow lead inside final furlong, held on gamely
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, headway to chase leaders inside final furlong, driven and stayed on strongly under pressure towards finish, just held
soon tracked leader, led over 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, chased winner and every chance until one pace towards finish
soon tracked leading pair until weakened quickly over 2f out
keen hold, held up in last pair, keeping on at one pace when not much room inside final 2f, and again approaching final furlong, kept on but not pace to reach leaders
soon led and raced keenly, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Tell, Ivy Creek and West of Amarillo look the leading contenders in this contest and the vote is given to Ivy Creek. The selection beat Airbuss last time out in good style and as that form was franked on Wednesday when Airbuss scored impressively at Epsom, we are happy to side with Ivy Creek as our selection. Tell seemed to get just about home over 7f last time when second behind Dickensian but it would be a concern that he is stepped-up in trip again and as he has yet to prove himself over this distance we will take him on. West of Amarillo put up a fair effort in a better race than this that has worked out well when last seen out. However, this is competitive and he his yard have to hit top gear. Hopeful Purchase made a pleasing debut when not given a hard race and he is sure to strip fitter today, but for the winner we will return to Ivy Creek.
Ivy Creek (USA) 9-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, soon led, ran on, won at Warwick 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs beating Airbuss (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Tell 10-3 (9-5) Prominent and keen, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Dickensian (9-5) at Leicester 7f nov stk (4) gf in Sept.
West of Amarillo (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders over 5f, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Aussie Rules (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Bramcote Lorne 66-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 12l behind Pearly King (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stk (5) gf.
Hopeful Purchase (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway on bit over 2f out, pushed out final furlong, never placed to challenge, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Olympian Odyssey (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Pinch of Salt (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) In touch, led 2f out, hung right over 1f out, edged left and headed just inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Natural Force (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
