outpaced, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, some headway over 1f out, soon slightly hampered and no impression
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, lost touch final 3f
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon hung left and weakened
always prominent, driven along 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no impression on winner
soon outpaced, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, no headway final 2f
raced on outside, behind final 3f
prominent, ridden and lost place 2f out, no impression when edged left 1f out
City For Conquest gets the vote over Tag Team, Stoic Leader and Johnston's Diamond in an open affair. Tim Pitt has had a season to remember on Turf, and anything that he keeps ticking over on the all-weather should be followed. City For Conquest won a claimer here for Karl Burke in March, and improved on that when landing a handicap here for the same trainer in September. Claimed by current connections after failing to justify favouritism due to a slow start over the five furlongs last time, he is immediately asked to tackle a slightly longer trip, and hopefully it will reap dividends, with a nice draw in stall two to help. Tag Team beat Benny The Bus here the time before last, and as that form has been franked, he should not be ruled out now that he is back over the six furlongs. Stoic Leader has gone off the boil lately but has claims on earlier form, while Johnston's Diamond remains well treated but he has not won for some time. City For Conquest is the pick on past performances.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) With leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Prince Tum Tum (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
La Motta (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Close up, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge early straight, 3rd 1f out, soon no extra, 7th of 14, 4l behind Distant Times (9-6) at Listowel 6f hcp 0-80 hvy in Sept.
City For Conquest (IRE) 9-4fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon switched left, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 4l behind Howards Princess (8-2) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Cape Presto (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Prince Tum Tum (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Steel Blue 11-2 (8-12) Prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Premier Fantasy (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Tag Team (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and close up 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Mr Cellophane (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) std.
Johnston's Diamond (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Led, ridden when headed 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 9l behind Briannsta (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
Dance To The Blues (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong and lost 3 places close home, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Million Percent (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
