held up, headway on inside over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, not much room entering straight, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden and weakend over 3f out, tailed off
always in rear
took keen hold and prominent, not much room and lost place 4f out, switched right over 1f out, some late headway
took keen hold in mid-division, saddle soon slipped, behind final 5f
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, slightly outpaced and came wide entering straight, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
held up in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on
chased leader until 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
Hand of Destiny gets a narrow vote over Cuyamaca, John Charles and Fire of Love, with Supa Tramp worth a mention at least. Hand of Destiny can boast a bit more experience than most of his main rivals, having raced three times on the Polytrack last year. There was plenty of encouragement to be gleaned from his first effort in a handicap here a fortnight ago when not beaten far by Mystified, the step up in trip obviously suiting the son of High Yield who is related to six winners. He had a rival rated 10lb superior back in third last time, and now that he tackles maiden company again, Hand of Destiny should go very close. There was a lot to like about Cuyamaca's debut third behind the odds-on Custodian here just over three weeks ago, and another bold show is predicted. She can reach the frame at least, while John Charles will have his supporters as well, having finished runner-up on his introduction here in November. A longer trip will suit him in future though, and of the rest, the selection's stablemate Fire of Love merits a mention after finishing third to a couple of much more fancied rivals on her Lingfield bow 16 days ago. Well bred on the dam's side, she will have no trouble picking up a maiden in due course, while Supa Tramp, a half-brother to Oaks winner Lady Carla, will also be one to note when stepped up in trip. On this occasion it is Hand of Destiny whose fate lies in the winner's enclosure.
John Charles (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, steady headway over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bazelle (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Cuyamaca (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Custodian (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.
Chart Oak Robellino colt out of an unraced mare.
Sharp Duo (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 3f out, never nearer, 7th of 10, 9l behind Natural Force (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
Supa Tramp 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, some late progress over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 15l behind Monashee Gold (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in Nov.
Welcome Releaf 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 28l behind Off Message (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Fire of Love 20-1 (8-9) Tracked leader until 6f out, remained prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Dame Hester (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Hand of Destiny (USA) 10-1 (7-12) Always prominent, ridden over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Mystified (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
