chased leading pair until 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside 6f out, chased leaders 3f out, soon second, led well over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up, pushed along and outpaced over 4f out, brief rally on outside over 2f out
tracked leaders in fourth, went modest 3rd over 2f out, no chance with front pair
pressed leader, led 4f out, headed well over 1f out, rallied well inside final furlong, stayed on
always behind, struggling halfway, tailed off
slight lead, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, always behind, struggling 5f out, tailed off
A pretty poor maiden that can go to OUTRAGEOUS REQUEST who gets the vote in preference to Etruscan and All Guns Firing. Pat Eddery's gelding ran very well back in the spring when taking third behind Namibian Orator, now rated 86, and if able to repeat the dose on this surface would take all the beating. It has to be said though that the horse's other four efforts have been of a somewhat lower standard but even that might be enough here. Etruscan is rated clear second best here having run two solid races since returning from a lengthy absence. If building on those efforts this Selkirk gelding would have a real chance although there are of course lingering doubts about the surface and with our selection's form looking just that bit stronger we're against Chris Catlin's mount on this occasion. All Guns Firing completes the shortlist despite being another without any course form. Declan Carroll's gelding is bred to be reasonable and has run a couple of solid races that fully entitle him to an official mark of 74, although it is a concern that the three-year-old has been off the track since July and for that reason we're again prepared to overlook this one in favour of our selection. In such a weak affair newcomers Sir Mark and Abayaan must be watched in the market, particularly the latter who represents a yard going well and is bred to be better than most of these. Bicksta seems to cope with the surface but was beaten a long way off a mark of 52 last time whilst Hydrant is unexposed on the level and might steal a place but in a contest that will not live long in the memory Outrageous Request can emerge victorious.
Etruscan (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Warne's Way (9-11) at Newbury 1m 4f ladies hcap (5) sft in Oct.
Abayaan Sadler's Wells colt out of Showdown.
All Guns Firing (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Close up, ridden over 3f out, soon in trouble, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 18l behind Royal Trooper (8-8) at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Hydrant 3-1fav (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, slightly sort of room and squeezed out 2f out, never dangerous afterwards, 10th of 16, 7l behind Anmar (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug '08.
Outrageous Request 5-1 (9-3) Raced wide, held up, headway to go in touch over 5f out, ridden to chase winner 4f out, outpaced by winner final 2f, but always holding remainder of field, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Bruton Street (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Nov.
La Preciosa 100-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 13, 31l behind Heathyards Junior (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol.
Bicksta 33-1 (8-0) Held up mid-division, ridden 4f out, one pace final 3f, 6th of 11, 7l behind Shadows Lengthen (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs.
Owls Fc (IRE) 200-1 (8-7) Close up, lost place from 7f out, 10th of 13, well behind Bruton Street (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Nov.
Sir Mark (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened 4 out, 10th of 12, well behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
