made virtually all, ridden over 2f out, soon pressed, held on well
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held close home
held up in 6th, headway 3f out, ridden and edged right over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
dwelt badly, in rear, ridden over 3f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, lost place over 2f out
Luck should have come for his return to action at this track and makes more appeal than Fraserburgh and Minimee. But it would be no surprise if one of the seasonal debutants had his measure and CLAIM gets the nod. The latter looked all over the winner over track and trip in September before running out of steam close home. He's fancied to hold on for victory on this occasion at the chief expense of George Cinq, second in a decent nursery at Kempton last time. Dark Emerald's third to subsequent Racing Post Trophy runner-up, Van Der Neer, looks better in hindsight and Yourartisonfire also has the past form to get involved, although his only win last term came in soft ground at Haydock.
Dark Emerald (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) Prominent, joined leader 5f out, ridden to lead 2f out, edged left over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Van Der Neer (9-2) at Leicester 7f 2yo stks (3) sft in Oct.
Yourartisonfire 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Columella (8-8) at Warwick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
George Cinq 9-2 (8-7) Switched right soon after start, held up, took keen hold, headway when not clear run over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Tamarkuz (8-10) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Luck 10-1 (9-5) In rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Strong Conviction (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Claim 15-8fav (9-3) Keen tracked leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, not quicken near finish, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Open Letter (8-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Fraserburgh (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Always in rear, pushed along after 2f, ridden halfway, last of 9, 22l behind Country Western (8-13) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Minimee 9-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Excellent Puck (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
