mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear when idled inside final furlong, found extra when challenged towards finish
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leading trio 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, tracked leader briefly over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace from over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
raced wide, held up mid-division, good headway to lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 3f out
mainly in rear
held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
A change to hold up tactics worked the oracle for MYSTIC TOUCH last time, who won with plenty to spare, and we have confidence that Andy Haynes' runner can over come a mark rise and go in again in front of the frustrating Salybia Bay and Litenup, who goes well fresh. The extra six pounds added to the pick's back here wouldn't have stopped him scoring on his latest outing under a hand timed ride from this pilot at Wolverhampton. The late nature of that victory suggests this step up in trip should suit so as long has he in is the same mood and gets the same luck in running he should score. If the gaps don't appear for the selection this time then an alternative looks to be Salybia Bay, who keeps find one or two too good. She does look like a future winner and has the form to be a leading challenger in this field. Litenup has had just three starts this season and certainly shaped well in defeat on his latest effort when finding just one too good over course and distance. He's back form another break but goes well fresh so is entitled to go well. Dark Ranger is the only course and distance winner in the field and is back to his last winning mark so has to make the list but if his luck holds Mystic Touch can follow-up.
Franco Is My Name 100-1 (9-3) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, never reached leaders, 6th of 13, 9l behind King's Salute (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Dark Ranger 5-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 10l behind Kiss A Prince (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.
Silken Promise (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 39l behind Silent Act (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Triple Cee (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Location (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Chanrossa (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 9l behind Location (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Salybia Bay 8-1 (8-11) Held up in mid-division, progress over 2f out, driven to lead stand side group over 2f out, not on terms with winner on centre course and lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Aine's Delight (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct.
Brooksby 15-2 (9-3) Prominent, driven 2f out, hampered 1f out, weakened, 11th of 14, 6l behind Inquisitress (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Fire King 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 6l behind Ocean Countess (9-3) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-63 (6) gd in Oct.
Mystic Touch 11-1 (8-10) Switched left soon after start, held up in last place, plenty to do 2f out, pushed along and headway 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead close home (hand timed), won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Castle Myth (8-6) by nk, 12 ran.
Litenup (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Brett Vale (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Colangnik (USA) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 18l behind Resentful Angel (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol.
Meirig's Dream (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride and always behind, 11th of 15, 16l behind Windpfeil (8-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Bubses Boy 12-1 (8-12) Led for 2f, stayed handy, until weakened rapidly over 3f out, last of 11, 23l behind Saute (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Great Bounder (CAN) 20-1 (8-3) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 3l behind Alqaahir (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
