close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
raced wide, towards rear, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
dwelt, always towards rear
Natalie Hambling was on board when Royal Connoisseur landed a Class 5 handicap at Hamilton last month but her mount has never won when stepping up to this grade. Stable companion Gin In The Inn ran poorly when well supported at Windsor earlier this month but Art Obsession won at this level at Doncaster in June and is only 1lb higher so he should make a bold bid to get back on the winning trail, though Dandyleekie has a similar profile and soft ground is greatly to his advantage. Ancient Astronaut won a minor handicap at Epsom in August and found 5f too short at Pontefract last time so he's expected to give a good account. EMERALD LOCH (NAP) has won twice over this trip when the ground was on the soft side. She had little chance in a much better race at Newmarket last time but ran better than her finishing position suggests and this looks within her capabilities.
Dandyleekie (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on well closing stages, never nearer, 5th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Jaywalker (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Money Team (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 6l behind Spanish City (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Emerald Loch 14-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 9th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Summer Chorus (9-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp fll (2) gf in Oct.
Royal Connoisseur (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-10) Tracked leader, hung right 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Hamilton 6f hcp (5) hvy in Sep beating Gilmer (9-7) by 2l, 8 ran.
Art Obsession (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Slingsby (9-0) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Gin In The Inn (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakening when not much room inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Menai (9-3) at Windsor 6f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
The Hooded Claw (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, last of 10, 6 1/4l behind Best Trip (9-11) at Catterick 6f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Ancient Astronaut 12-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Cosmic Chatter (9-3) at Pontefract 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Fantasy Justifier (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Steadied start, in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Flowing Clarets (8-6) at Windsor 6f stks (5) sft in Oct.
See The Storm 66-1 (9-2) Pressed leader, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, lost place over 1f out, weakened final 50 yards, 7th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Mon Beau Visage (8-13) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
