prominent, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly away, held up behind, ridden over 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, kept on inside final furlong
held up, ridden and raced wide over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened 2f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish
chased leader, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
HERBERT CRESCENT deserves to get his head in front and can do so here ahead of Kool Katie and Saturday winner Ten Pole Tudor. The selection has finished second on each of his last three outings, the last of which was over this course and distance, a performance which has seen his mark go up 2lbs to 54. That is only of minor concern though as Seb Sanders' mount is in great form having gone down only a nose to a well-supported favourite last time and ran very well here off a stone higher back in February. In the hope that his jockey can take up a handy position early, we fancy this horse to kick clear turning for home and hold on this time to gain a deserved third career success. Kool Katie races off 53 here despite having taken a close second behind one rated 70 in maiden company last time with the rest of the field well beaten. On strict reading of that form this filly looks exceptionally handicapped and will no doubt attract plenty of support from a good draw with Tony Culhane up, but as one who is winless from 19 starts the percentage call remains to oppose her until she shows that she has what it takes to win a race. Ten Pole Tudor had been struggling off this mark before readily landing a poor seller on Saturday evening. Whilst that was a contest that wouldn't have taken much winning especially with a couple of horses running well below their best, respect is still given to this four-year-old gelding who was placed off a mark of 60 here back in the spring and can race today off just 52. All three of the horses wins have come here and so the mount of 7lb claimer Jake Payne must have a chance of going in again here. Mel Brittain's Carragold is the least exposed of these having had just five career starts prior to today and this three-year-old put up his best performance to date when taking second off a pound lower last time. The manner of that performance suggested that today's slight increase in trip may help the gelding to improve further and taking on largely exposed rivals this one must have solid prospects of taking a hand in the finish with Robert Winston up. Of the remainder both Fitzolini and King Of Connacht have recent winning form but neither could be described as reliable and that is a quality that counts for plenty in these races, so we'll take the consistent Herbert Crescent to score.
King of Connacht 10-1 (9-5) Held up, headway when pushed slightly wide over 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind The Grey One (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
King of Rhythm (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 7l behind Ensnare (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Herbert Crescent 9-2 (9-0) Always prominent, squeezed through to challenge on inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, ns behind Confide In Me (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Kool Katie 11-2 (9-1) Held up, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Oriental Cavalier (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Carragold 10-1 (8-5) Towards rear, reminders over 6f out, headway inside final 2f, kept on to take 2nd close home, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Pacific Bay (8-5) at Beverley 1m app stks (6) gf in Sep.
Noche de Reyes 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 13, 17l behind On The Loose (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Ten Pole Tudor 25-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on outside over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden and came centre straight, in command over 1f out, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol beating Pride of Nation (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Tallest Peak (USA) 9-1 (9-0) In rear, never near leaders, 9th of 12, 6l behind Holyfield Warrior (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
Fitzolini 8-1 (8-12) Led, joined over 3f out, ridden and headed approaching 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Holyfield Warrior (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
Miss Perfectionist 50-1 (8-12) Behind, outpaced over 3f out, kept on over 1f out, 4th of 11, 8l behind Naseehah (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Head First 7-1 (8-12) Soon crossed over to go prominent 8f out, challenging and hung right from 3f out, led over 2f out, narrowly headed well over 1f out, still every chance until not quicken well inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mondego (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Cause For Applause (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) In rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Fitzolini (8-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Kirstys Lad 33-1 (8-0) Soon pushed along in rear, outpaced after 2f, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 8l behind Castle Myth (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
