It was soft going when RAKE’S PROGRESS won a higher grade contest at Nottingham last week. He could well defy a penalty back at this level. Milan Reef has been raised 7lb for winning on a heavy surface here and steps back up in trip while Redgrave was placed in the soft at Musselburgh last time but it was fast going at Ayr when Power Player opened his account with Grazeon Roy back in fourth. Langholm has a chance on recent form though the ground looks a worry for him.
Rake's Progress 5-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to chase leader entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Sod's Law (9-6) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Stormingin (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Junior Rip (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Ventura Royal (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Led, edged left after 2f, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 21 3/4l behind Lucky Turn (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp fll (5) pol in Oct.
Detachment 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Olympic Conqueror (8-11) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Redgrave (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on into 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Set In Stone (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 1f stks (4) sft in Sep.
Power Player 5-1jfav (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, soon challenged, held on gamely, won at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Be Proud (8-7) by nk, 12 ran.
Silver Dust (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened closing stages, 9th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Bardo Contiguo (9-1) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Grazeon Roy 15-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Power Player (9-5) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Hurricane Ali (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Mac Jetes (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Sep.
Noble Fox 10-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 14, 5l behind Contrast (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Initiative (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Always behind, last of 12, 15l behind Bounty Pursuit (9-7) at Chepstow 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Langholm (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 9 1/4l behind Cape Victory (9-10) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Essenaitch (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, well beaten final 2f, 9th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Paddy The Chef (9-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Sep.
Milan Reef (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 2f out, pressed briefly inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Leicester 7f hcp (6) hvy in Oct beating Field of Vision (8-13) by 2l, 10 ran.
Awesomedude 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Dark Miracle (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in May.
