led, headed 6f out, led again 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leading pair, led over 2f out, ridden and soon clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, comfortably
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
towards rear, headway between horses approaching final furlong, soon chased winner, kept on, no chance
held up well in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, switched left just inside final furlong, kept on, too much to do
held up, ridden 3f out, never nearer
slowly into stride, switched left soon after start, soon behind
in touch, ridden and headway to chase winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
with leader, led 6f out until 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, behind from over 1f out
A trappy affair confined to apprentice jockeys but one that can go the way of VIA MIA ahead of Castle Myth and Justcallmehandsome. George Baker's inmate has been in good form of late having taken a close second over this course and distance on her penultimate outing. The filly followed that effort with a solid third over slightly further and, back at a mile and half a furlong today, can take this under Andrea Atzeni. Castle Myth merits attention as a course and distance winner on his penultimate outing. That comfortable success came off a mark of 54 and whilst required to run off 61 today the manner of victory back in November suggests the handicapper's reaction is merited. Brian Ellison's gelding has since run well at Southwell over a mile and with the stable continuing in fine form the three-year-old may prove a big danger to our selection. Justcallmehandsome may represent some each-way value here as a six times course and distance winner who has dropped to a tempting mark of 67. This track clearly brings out the best in the seven-year-old who was outclassed behind in-form Spinning when last here but prior to that had taken second of 8lbs higher back in May. That effort is one of several that put the gelding in the picture and in a race where plenty have questions to answer many will side with this one to put his course experience to good use. Musigny is another contender having taken a close second last time. That effort at Yarmouth suggested today's slight increase in trip might bring about more improvement although the horse has been bumped up the handicap without winning. Of the remainder Ella Woodcock is competitively handicapped but all his wins have come on turf and so for the winner we return to the unexposed Via Mia.
King of The Moors (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed entering final 3f, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 28l behind Take It Easee (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov.
Justcallmehandsome 25-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 9l behind Final Verse (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Via Mia 13-2 (8-7) Mid-division on outside, headway to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Best In Class (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Echo Dancer 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4f out, soon in rear, tailed off, last of 9, 46l behind Ibrox (9-8) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, staying on when hampered inside final furlong, soon eased, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 9l behind Spinning (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Castle Myth (USA) 7-1 (10-13) Dwelt, in rear, headway and not clear run on inside over 2f out, switched right, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Prince Golan (10-6) at Southwell 1m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) fbs in Nov.
Shannon Golden 16-1 (9-2) Raced stands' side, chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 17, 7l behind Mission Impossible (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-55 (6) sft in Nov.
Bold Bomber 40-1 (8-12) Chased leaders on outer, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 5l behind Cape Quarter (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Son Of Monsieur 40-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 10l behind First Service (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Blushing Dreamer (IRE) 80-1 (7-11) Steadied start, pulled hard, in rear, well behind final 3f, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Doncosaque (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov '08.
Musigny (USA) 20-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Spring Goddess (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m clm stks (6) gf in Oct.
