in touch, ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, never able to challenge
tracked leader, led entering final 2f, ridden out
steadied start, in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
went right start, led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened inside final furlong
rider removed blind late, slowly into stride, in touch in rear, effort 1f out, soon one pace
TALLEY CLOSE remains unexposed and after three wins from five starts is very much going the right way. This is his first try on the Polytrack, but his half-brother Dark Society won on it on his debut, so we are more than hopeful that he will act on the surface and maintain his progression over a trip that suits. Il Battista has a 7f Southwell win to his name so has it to prove on this much quicker surface, but is not ruled out. Dozy Joe has a win on this surface at Kempton on his CV and improved in defeat at Doncaster, so he couldn't be taken on with immense confidence, while Bath scorer Owain is capable of going well but may find a couple too good.
Dozy Joe 8-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden, switched left and headway over 2 out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Shesastar (8-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Talley Close 7-2fav (9-7) Niggled along towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating First Class Favour (8-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
A Boy Named Suzi 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, led 1f out, soon ridden, 2 lengths up when rider nearly unseated and briefly ceased riding inside final 75 yards, caught post, 2nd of 10, ns behind Boxeur Des Rues (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Sep.
Il Battista 6-1 (9-7) Broke well and led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right and headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Makeynn (9-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Owain (USA) 5-1 (9-2) In touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Garde Cotiere (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo nov stks (4) pol in Oct.