In a really tricky start to proceedings, only a tentative vote goes to Global Guardian ahead of Divine White, Ballybeg and Korikancha to name but three. The first thing to point out is that the stalls on the straight track are sited on the stands side, and most of those with a semblance of form are drawn high, so jockeyship will no doubt have a major say. Francis Norton should not have to manoeuvre too much to get Global Guardian into a challenging position from stall five, and the Geraldine Rees-trained juvenile can build on his good run in a Catterick maiden in which he tried to make all but was collared close home. It was not the greatest of contests, but then neither is this, and he should at least give you a run for your money. Divine White is progressive and may have been let in lightly, but a berth in stall 18 is off-putting. Ballybeg is better drawn but Richard Hughes will be looking for room and is unlikely to get it, while Korikancha will no doubt be outpaced but will be running on at the finish. It is a real head-scratcher, but Global Guardian is the pick to the smallest of stakes.
Global Guardian 40-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Kings Heir (9-0) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd.
Avoca Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Behind when stumbled after 1f, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 7th of 10, 6l behind Imperial Lucky (7-12) at Catterick 7f 2yo fll hcp (4) gf.
Blu Manruna 25-1 (9-0) Behind, headway on outside over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 17, 8l behind Rubenstar (9-7) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Final Bid (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) In touch to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 15, 12l behind Mulaqat (9-0) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Benbrook 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon faded, 5th of 10, 6l behind Count Trevisio (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Carrietau 50-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 16, 13l behind Giganticus (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Grenane (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Prominent until weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 10l behind In A Flash (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Korikancha (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Always behind, 12th of 14, 12l behind Aubaine (8-11) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn fll (2) gf in Sept.
Ballybeg (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Always behind, 14th of 17, 9l behind Rubenstar (9-7) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Art Historian (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Raced stands' side, always behind, 11th of 13, 6l behind Rubenstar (9-3) at Folkestone 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Pitbull 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 5l behind John Keats (9-6) at Pontefract 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Mercurialist 14-1 (9-0) Always in rear division, 9th of 11, 16l behind Ocean of Dreams (9-0) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) fbs.
Cumberland Road 17-2 (8-4) Dwelt, held up, ridden halfway, headway and hung left over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 18, 5l behind King Alfie (8-9) at Redcar 7f 2yo clm (6) gf.
Forces Sweetheart 20-1 (8-9) Raced far side, always towards rear, 13th of 17, 11l behind Valentino Swing (8-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Divine White 14-1 (8-9) Led, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Silken Sky (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Aug.
Haiti Dancer 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, losing place when hampered just inside final 2f, 12th of 17, 8l behind Rubenstar (9-7) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Vice Admiral 66-1 (8-4) Always in rear, never dangerous, 16th of 17, 29l behind Il Castagno (8-4) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Night Groove (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, 13l behind John Keats (9-6) at Pontefract 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Cheveley Flyer 66-1 (8-4) Raced centre, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Sin City (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept.
