chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
led 2nd until 5th, gradually weakened, behind, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, soon ridden, stayed on from next, went 3rd run-in
led until 2nd, prominent, led 5th until 3 out, 2nd, beaten when mistake last
held up behind, headway 6th, ridden to lead 3 out, driven clear approaching left, stayed on
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, not fluent 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened, behind, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, one pace from next
held up, headway 5th, ridden, effort after 6th, soon beaten
prominent, ridden in 3rd approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
A wide open contest here and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Amanpuri,Oasis Blue and Bally Bolshoi and the narrow vote is given to Oasis Blue. The selection was a fair third behind Capanrush last time out. That form looked rock solid in the context of this race and off a fair mark he looks the value bet. Amanpuri rates the main danger on his latest second behind Beyondtherealm but he is far from consistent and at likely odds he looks worth opposing Bally Bolshoi is another worthy of respect on his latest fourth behind Viciana. He is one of the least exposed in the field so at least he has scope for improvement. Of the remainder Lets Get Busy has dropped to a handy mark and ran as if returning to form when third last time out and he is worth noting in the market but in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to Oasis Blue.
Amanpuri (GER) 4-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, hit 2 out, stumbled last and headed, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Beyondtherealm (10-7) at Chepstow 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Nov.
Le Forezien (FR) 40-1 (10-9) Led until 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Fantastic Champion (11-10) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Jul '04.
Lets Get Busy (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 8th, stayed on to take poor 3rd, run-in, 3rd of 6, well behind Heltornic (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 7f mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Bally Bolshoi (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) In touch until weakend 3 out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Viciana (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Caesarean Hunter (USA) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, pushed along 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 6th of 20, 27l behind Piraeus (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs in Nov.
Peggy's Prince 20-1 (10-7) Held up, in touch, ridden when not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 24l behind Dancinginthestreet (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (G) gs in Nov.
Sunset King (USA) 12-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 31l behind Albarino (11-9) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Oasis Blue (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Cappanrush (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (D) frm in Oct.
