held up and always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, went 2nd and stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to reach winner
restless in stalls, took keen hold towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
held up in last pair, good headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly
took keen hold, led for 1f, tracked leader who went clear 8f out, closed over 2f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
switched right after start, held up and always towards rear, never a factor
held up in mid-division, pushed along on outside over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, 4th and one pace final furlong, kept on
chased leaders on outside, pushed along and struggling over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
slowly into stride, headway to lead after 1f, went clear 8f out, came back to the field over 2f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up last, some headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out
Several arrive on the back of recent wins but MOUNTAIN BELL (NAP) has every chance on these terms. Proven at this level, Ralph Beckett’s filly will be sharper for a fourth in last month’s Group 3 at Newbury and is just preferred to Red Verdon. The latter went close in a Listed race over track and trip last time when ahead of Western Hymn and should confirm running. Master The World is another with a chance at the weights but has something to prove over today’s distance having won the Churchill Stakes over 1m2f while Daphne has the scope to find the improvement necessary after landing a Listed race at Lingfield. Not So Sleepy and Great Court are recent handicap winners upped in class.
Western Hymn 9-2 (9-9) Steadied start held up, pushed along and hung right over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leades, 5th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Titi Makfi (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Master The World (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) In touch, headway and edged left entering final furlong, soon led, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Nov beating Victory Bond (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Not So Sleepy 10-1 (9-8) Dwelt, took keen hold, soon in mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, chasing leaders when not clear run switched right and squeezed through entering final furlong, 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Innocent Touch (9-2) by nk, 14 ran.
Red Verdon (USA) 8-1 (9-4) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Titi Makfi (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Daphne 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leader over 1f, handy 3rd, headway between horses to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 5f lst fll stks (1) pol in Nov beating Melodic Motion (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Indulged 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Star Rock (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) sft in Nov.
Mountain Bell 7-1 (9-1) Dwelt in rear, wide and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Best Solution (8-12) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Tenerife Song (8-11) 2nd of 8, 1l behind Hard Baby (9-6) at Veliefendi 1m 4f in Oct.
Astronomy's Choice (8-12) last of 9, 19l behind Gaining (8-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f lst stks sft in Nov.
Great Court (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway 2f out, effort on outside over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, ridden and kept on towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Eldritch (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
