held up, headway over 2f out, quickened and ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
held up behind leaders, headway on inner 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right when headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
prominent, effort when hung badly left over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden along when hung badly left over 3f out, soon weakened
held up behind leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f
mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, staying on when jockey dropped reins inside final furlong, no extra close home
always rear division
Jul's Lad and Duke Of Normandy have both been showing fair form on the Polytrack of late but it remains to be seen whether either can reproduce a similar level of form back on turf and a safer option may be ANTIGUA SUNRISE, who gets the vote. Richard Fahey's filly gave every indication on her final start as a juvenile and on her recent reappearance at Musselburgh that she would appreciate the step up to this sort of distance and she looks worth chancing from the best of the draw. Victorian Tycoon made a highly satisfactory return when chasing home Cornish Castle at Nottingham last week and he has every chance racing off the same mark today. Kevin Ryan has his team in good from so Dark Oasis has to be respected but he would need to improve on recent showing at Wolverhampton to trouble the judge. Mark Johnston's Topolski is less exposed than his opponents after just three starts and makes his handicap debut off what seems a fair mark over a trip that should suit. Reg Hollinshead's Oriental Cavalier is similarly lightly raced and made a pleasing debut in a handicap when last seen in October. He has every chance if ready for his reappearance but preference is for Antigua Sunrise, who is taken to show improved form for the step up in trip.
Topolski (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Prominent, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Sharp Sovereign (8-9) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) sft in Sep.
Antigua Sunrise (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden and headway when edged right over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Green Agenda (9-0) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Oriental Cavalier 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Fastnet Storm (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Punch Drunk 11-2 (9-4) Tracked winner, ridden and every chance entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Lovely Thought (8-8) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Jul's Lad (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Took keen hold, led, headed over 2f out, weakened and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Seek The Fair Land (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Duke of Normandy (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hanging left, kept on under pressure, headed well inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Scottish Affair (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Dreamonandon (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders far side, outpaced halfway, ridden and kept on final 2f, never on terms, 6th of 12, 14l behind Prime Mood (9-3) at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn (4) hvy in Oct.
Victorian Tycoon (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Led, hung right, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 15, nk behind Cornish Castle (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Night Knight (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up, not clear run well over 2f out, always in rear, 13th of 14, 18l behind Bravo Echo (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Dark Oasis 3-1fav (9-4) Tracked leader, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 11, 8l behind High Cross (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Classic Contours (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Behind, outpaced 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 14l behind Green Agenda (9-0) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Mohawk Ridge 8-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 10th of 15, 13l behind Speedy Guru (8-4) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Oct.
Pilot Light 20-1 (9-3) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 15l behind Courageous (9-3) at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jul.
