in touch, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached winner
always behind, eased over 1f out
led 1f, prominent, led again over 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, outpaced over 2f out, rallied 1f out, no extra towards finish
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, nearest at finish
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
The shortlist in the finale contains Dower House, Writ and Da Bookie, with the vote going to Writ. Given that he now races from just a pound above a winning course and distance mark, Dower House cannot be ruled out of a good show. Following Flow was not beaten far over course and distance from a three-pounds lower mark in March, although his form is a little patchy. Much as Writ's winning course and distance run came to an end from today's mark last time, a bold showing is not ruled out, while, on her first run for new connections, Italian Romance showed improved form last time and, only lightly raced, ought to have better to come; it is a question of how fair you feel that her mark of 73 is. Magical Music has some good placed efforts from his current rating, although he has to prove he can win from it, with similar comments applying to Da Bookie, although both are respected, and Bavarica holds a similar profile too. Finally, Our Kes is well-weighted on his best form and has improved on each run since returning from the USA and a good run cannot be ruled out. Overall, then, in a tricky race the selection is Writ.
Dower House 11-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 10l behind Alpine Reel (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Following Flow (USA) 22-1 (9-5) Held up, switched left to race alone far side from over 3f out, never dangerous, last of 10, 44l behind Rain Stops Play (9-10) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Writ (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Led early, prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Cusoon (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Italian Romance 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Where's Broughton (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Magical Music 9-1 (8-6) Prominent, ridden ot lead on inside over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Vacation (8-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Da Bookie (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven and beaten over 2f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind Hassaad (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Bavarica 18-1 (10-12) Held up, switched right well over 1f out, headway approaching final furlong, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Sol Rojo (10-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Our Kes (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance when not much room 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Dart Along (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
