tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
dwelt, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ran on from over 1f out, just failed to get 3rd
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, just held on for 3rd
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon edged left, picked up well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
took keen hold, soon in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
slowly into stride and green early, always behind
pulled hard, mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, never got on terms, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, soon steadied into mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
BRAVE TALK is readily preferred here to Chink Of Light and the more exposed duo of Captain Cool and Fair Nella. Sylvester Kirk's son of Avonbridge shaped well at 50/1 on his debut at Lingfield before improving on that with a second to Dosti here last time out. He still looked green there and with more improvement to come he can confirm the placings with Fair Nella who was back in fourth. Kingston Folly is potentially better than his flop at Southwell last time out having shaped well at Lingfield on debut, whilst Chink Of Light was well-held at Nottingham on his sole start last season. However that was on soft ground and on this more consistent surface he may be more at home so is not ruled out especially with market support. Captain Cool looks trip-less and his official rating of 51 will not daunt any of his rivals, whilst Byblos reverts to the flat after a poor spell jumping and he wears the first-time visor this evening. Prickles may be able to run into a place with her stamina not called into question, however the horse they have to beat is Brave Talk.
Byblos 9-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, never dangerous final 2 furlongs, 7th of 10, 14l behind Hendersyde (9-2) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug '08.
Prickles 28-1 (10-4) In touch, raced keenly, went 2nd 5f out until over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 15, 11l behind Call Me Mulligan (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gf in Jun.
Brave Talk 9-2 (8-5) Mid-division, switched left and effort over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to go 2nd towards finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Dosti (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Captain Cool (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Tracked leading trio, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Desert Recluse (8-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) std.
Chink Of Light 14-1 (9-3) In rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 16, 12l behind Green Lightning (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Kingston Folly 14-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 25l behind Paintball (8-5) at Southwell 7f mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Jan.
Coombeshead Lass Best Of The Bests filly out of Riyma.
Fair Nella 10-3 (8-0) Keen early, led until restrained to track leaders after 1f, led again over 1f out, ridden, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Dosti (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Zafeen's Pearl 50-1 (8-4) Mid-division, lost place over 4f out, 10th of 12, 15l behind Ginger Jack (8-9) at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Suhailah 50-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 35l behind Kazbow (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
