slowy away, held up behind and keen, ridden over 1f out, no impression
slowly away, held up in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no impression
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place
held up towards rear, headway on outer over 4f out, chased leader over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
led and took keen hold, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division and keen, headway over 5f out, led over 4f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, soon clear and edged left, easily
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace
Colonel Sherman will surely improve for returning to the all-weather but that's a comment which also applies to STRAVERSJOY, who gets the vote. Reg Hollinshead's filly travelled well on her way to a respectable fourth at Catterick, when the ground was perhaps against her, and actually runs off a pound lower mark than when beaten less than a length on her last visit to this track. In contrast Knockdolian has a couple of pounds more to carry than when second last time although the booking of Richard Hughes has to be a positive and the horse is capable of better, but the biggest danger to Straversjoy looks to be Barliffey. He drops in grade and looks a big player on his recent fourth at Kempton, although the horse is far from prolific and may be best backed each-way. Irish raider Barndeh and the blinkered Faith Jicaro need watching in the market in a tough end to the card.
Barliffey (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, chased leading trio, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo, weakened to 4th close home, 4th of 12, 4l behind Ellemujie (9-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Trachonitis (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, brief effort on wide outside 2f out, never in contention, 10th of 14, 12l behind Spensley (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Ghufa (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Loden (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
On The Feather 16-1 (9-9) Towards rear, some headway 3f out, soon ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 7l behind Ocean Transit (9-4) at Bath 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Knockdolian (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Steadied start, soon switched right, took keen hold, held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to chase winner well inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Carlton Scroop (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Colonel Sherman (USA) 4-1 (8-5) Ridden leaving stalls and soon led, ridden inside final 3f, headed 2f out, soon outpaced by winner, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Royal Straight (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Faith Jicaro (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Dwelt, in rer, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sovento (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Barndeh (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up, some progress on outer early straight, no impression from 1 1/2f out, eased inside final furlong, 16th of 18, 23l behind Kokoro (9-7) at Cork 1m 4f hcp 47-65 gd in Aug.
Little Richard (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Keen, tracked leader for 4f, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Augustus John (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Naheell 9-1 (8-12) Always in rear, ridden 3f out, last of 7, 30l behind Goldtrek (9-1) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Straversjoy 7-2fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, soon mid-division, headway on outer to chase leaders over 7f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Emirate Isle (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
