went right start, mid-division, outpaced 3f out, never on terms
led, clear with one other after 4f, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, strayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well to go clear inside final furlong
tracked leading pair, joined leader when hung right after 4f, soon clear of rest, driven over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, challenged and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd well inside final furlong
pressed leader 4f, chased clear pair, lost place 5f out, soon behind
BLUE DUNE stands out as she scored over 2m in soft ground here last time and this looks less competitive. Despite a 6lb rise in the weights, Mark Johnston's filly should be following up against this bunch of plodders. Valentine's Gift could figure if his stamina holds out and recent Polytrack winner Iceman George can be given a chance in this lowly company. Strikemaster has plenty to find with the selection but Downtown Boy posted a better effort last time and is just preferred to recent Southwell runner-up Medieval Bishop.
Valentine's Gift 25-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway on inner over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Finity Run (8-3) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gd in Sep.
Blue Dune 11-8fav (9-2) Chased leaders, led over 7f out, pushed along over 2f out, clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) sft beating Josie's Dream (9-7) by 3l, 15 ran.
Sea Cliff (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 23l behind Asterales (9-1) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jun.
Musically 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened soon after, 9th of 11, 21l behind Critical Point (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Downtown Boy (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Prominnet, took keen hold, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Pattern Mark (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Think 11-2 (8-12) Took keen hold, soon prominent, ridden and lost place over 3f out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Pattern Mark (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Medieval Bishop (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Led, hung left and headed 2f out, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied to 2nd again final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Smart Affair (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Iceman George 20-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 9l behind Porcini (9-2) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Strikemaster (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, plugged on from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 15, 12l behind Blue Dune (9-2) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Mystified (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 18l behind A Little Bit Dusty (10-9) at Pontefract 1m 2f am hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
