held up in rear, headway on outside 5f out, challenged from 3f out until 2f out, soon hanging left, not run on
led early, prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
soon led, headed over 5f out, led over 3f out, kicked clear over 1f out, in no danger after
prominent, led over 5f out until over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, wide 2f out, headway over 1f out, edged left, ran on well inside final furlong to go 2nd, winner already gone
awkward leaving stalls, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not much room and lost place over 2f out, in rear after
in touch, steadied after 2f, headway over 2f out, one pace over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, raced keenly, edged right and lost place over 2f out, hanging left over 1f out
The step up in trip should show OSTENTATION in a better light and he's fancied to get the better of Rock A Doodle Do and Hathaway amongst others. Mark Johnston's colt didn't excel on his previous start over a mile but he showed improved form for the switch to handicapping last time when staying on in the closing stages. That effort reads well enough in the context of this race and he should go close if avoiding the slow start that cost him ground last time. Hathaway has only shown modest form but she is progressing and stayed on steadily at Kempton over seven having been outpaced when the leaders quickened. Rock A Doodle Do's connections haven't had anything to crow about yet but their charge may be able to improve on the form that he's shown in maidens. He's facing a more realistic task in handicap company and is tackling a more realistic trip for the first time. Headgear and handicapping could be the making of Bella Charlie whilst Holkham is another that should appreciate this stiffer test now handicapping. Rightcar and D'Urberville are more exposed but both were doing good work in the closing stages over seven last time so have to be respected but preference is for Ostentation.
Bella Charlie (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Always behind, 6th of 7, 17l behind Exearti (8-12) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
D'urberville 4-1fav (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Miami Gator (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec.
Ostentation 8-1 (8-5) Slowly in to stride, in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Exceedthewildman (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Tenga Venga 50-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 28l behind Thundering Home (9-3) at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Rock A Doodle Doo (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Never reached beyond mid-division, struggling halfway, 12th of 14, 19l behind Za Za Zoom (8-12) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Rightcar 33-1 (9-0) Dwelt, towards rear, reminders halfway, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, stayed on well to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Miami Gator (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec.
Holkham 66-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, kept on and no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 8l behind Armour (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Hathaway (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, driven along over 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Feel The Magic (8-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Campaigner 66-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 17l behind Shark Man (8-11) at Kempton 7f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
