held up towards rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, never on terms
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held
took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, close up when bumped inside final furlong, bumped again close home, just held
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led and hung right from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, edged right and bumped rival inside final furlong, soon led, bumped rival again close home, driven out
mid-division on inside, not clear run 2f out, never dangerous
FALCON CLIFFS scored over a similar trip here before landing a double with last month’s victory at Wolverhampton. A further 4lb rise may not be enough to anchor Tony Carroll’s mare in this. Homesick Boy is now 10lb higher than when winning over track and trip in October while Que Quieres returned a disappointing favourite last time having won here before that. In Demand should be sharper for last month’s outing as drops back down in trip but Banta Bay has just the one win in 27 starts on the all-weather.
The Night King 20-1 (9-4) Outpaced in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Admodum (8-11) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Tor 80-1 (10-2) Led, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Bravantina (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
In Demand (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 9, 8 1/4l behind Noble Behest (9-11) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Falcon Cliffs (IRE) 5-4fav (9-10) Slowly away towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Master Burbidge (9-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Double Reflection 33-1 (8-12) Raced wide in touch, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 12, 29l behind Clap Your Hands (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Homesick Boy (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Slow into stride, pushed along early in rear, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 11, 3l behind Herm (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Banta Bay 5-1fav (9-3) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 2 3/4l behind King Athelstan (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Que Quieres (USA) 7-4fav (8-10) Edged left after 1f, close up, chased clear leader 5f out until ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Sibylline (8-8) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ignatius (IRE) 7-2fav (8-10) Headway on outside to lead after 2f, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 9 1/2l behind Be Fair (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.