pushed along in rear, effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
raced wide held up, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 2f out, joined inside final furlong, ridden and held on gamely
held up, headway 3f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, no impression final furlong
always in rear
in touch, outpaced halfway
held up, ran wide bend into straight 3f out, soon weakened
pushed along in rear, some late headway
tracked leader until ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
Withdrawn
Il Battista returned to form with a victory over C&D last time. He beat J R Hartley and Watch Chain with a bit in hand and should be bang there at the finish once again. Eastern Hills had to work harder when also scoring over track and time last month and is up another 3lb today, while Supreme Spirit has been in winning form on turf and Polytrack, but has yet to race on this surface. POWERFUL PRESENCE raced four times here back in January, winning twice and a runner-up on the other occasions. A recent good effort at Catterick suggests he's up to winning off his current mark and David O'Meara's charge gets the vote.
Supreme Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, soon switched right, led entering final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 7f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol in Oct beating Swift Breeze (8-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Powerful Presence (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Mid-division, prominent over 2f out, every chance over 1f out until no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Clockmaker (9-7) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
J R Hartley 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders on outside, challenged over 4f out, led and hung left over 2f out, soon headed, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Il Battista (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct.
Eastern Hills 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, held on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct beating Boy The Bell (9-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bianca De Medici 10-3fav (9-7) Raced centre towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 11, 8l behind Darcey (8-10) at Yarmouth 6f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Fantasy Fry 16-1 (8-13) Awkward start and slowly into stride,in rear, outpaced after 2f, 8th of 9, 15l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jun.
Luv U Too 20-1 (9-3) Led, 3 lengths clear over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 16l behind Smart Step (8-4) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Oct.
Not My Choice (IRE) 40-1 (9-6) Raced stands side, soon pushed along in rear, some late headway, never on terms, 8th of 16, 5l behind Style And Panache (9-5) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
One Way Or Another (AUS) 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 7l behind Seeking Magic (9-3) at Bath 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Councellor (FR) 33-1 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, weakened 2f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Opus Maximus (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 10-1 (8-2) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Dr Red Eye (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Ishiadancer 11-2 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 7l behind Glenridding (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Il Battista 7-2 (8-8) Chased leaders and niggled along, ridden over 3f out, led 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct beating J R Hartley (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Watch Chain (IRE) 14-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 4l behind Il Battista (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct.
