keen, tracked leaders, led narrowly over 5f out, ridden and headed approaching final 2f, kept on one pace
tracked winner until over 5f out, close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
led, headed narrowly over 5f out, ridden to lead again approaching final 2f, ran on final furlong
close up in last place, progress to track leaders over 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, no impression
Hard to sort out with only 5lb between the five runners on official ratings. Norway Cross is hardest to assess, falling into the 'could be anything' category after two maiden starts, both on heavy ground. She hacked up when last seen and it'll be interesting to see how she fares in the market with Hughes booked. Astra Hall has a chance if coming here after a good Doncaster effort on Saturday evening whilst Opera Box and DEBDEBDEB operated at a higher level than this last term and it's the latter who receives the vote. The Balding filly hasn't been seen since an unplaced effort in the Melrose at the Ebor meeting but was progressive up to that point. Hopefully she'll do herself justice after that absence and looks one to follow whatever her fate here. Godolphin have kept the lightly-raced Kalispell in training which is a tip in itself and it would be no shock to see her give a good account despite topweight.
Kalispell (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Prominent, led 2f out, soon ridden, clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 2f flls hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating Astra Hall (9-5) by 5l, 14 ran.
Opera Box 20-1 (8-12) Raced wide, tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 6l behind Brass Ring (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Debdebdeb 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dark Crusader (8-13) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Aug.
Norway Cross 7-4fav (9-0) Mid-division, steady headway from from over 4f out, led over 2f out, stayed on strongly, won at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) hvy in Oct beating Aalim (9-5) by 9l, 11 ran.
Astra Hall 9-2 (8-11) Held up in last pair, switched right 4f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Silk Sari (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) sft.
