tracked leaders, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, battled on gamely when strongly pressed well inside final furlong, all out
always in rear, never involved
chased leading pair, edged left over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo
chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in last pair, headway on outside 2f out, 2nd approaching final furlong, strong challenge well inside final furlong, just failed
led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in 5th, effort on inside and keeping on same pace when hampered on rail over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on towards finish, no chance with leading duo
Bancnuanaheireann narrowly beat Croquembouche and Solar Deity with Bint Dandy further behind in a similar contest here last week. The winner carries a penalty in this while Bint Dandy had earlier finished behind MERRITT ISLAND (NAP) here. The latter found Fire Fighting, rated 108, too good in a conditions race on that occasion and Sir Mark Prescott's charge can go one better in this less competitive affair. Lovely Memory tries her luck over further having returned a losing favourite at the track recently while Spanish Squeeze has a shout handicapping for the first time on his first start since April. Stencive finished runner-up in the John Smith's Cup in 2013 but hasn't been seen at the track since and debuts for a new yard today.
Bancnuanaheireann (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) In touch when clipped heels and stumbled after 2f, headway on outer 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Oct beating Croquembouche (8-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Stencive 6-1fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on well to press winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 19, nk behind Danchai (8-11) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Merritt Island 12-1 (8-7) Went right start, tracked leaders, effort when not clear run over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed and kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Fire Fighting (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (3) pol in Oct.
Bint Dandy (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Bancnuanaheireann (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Spanish Squeeze (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Slow into stride in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, not pace to challenge, 4th of 6, 1 1/4l behind Fanciful Angel (9-0) at Lingfield 1m lst stks (1) pol in Apr.
Croquembouche (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Led, ridden 3f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Bancnuanaheireann (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Lovely Memory (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Apostle (8-12) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Solar Deity (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Raced wide in rear, headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Bancnuanaheireann (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
