held up towards rear in centre, driven 3f out, no impression final 2f
in touch centre, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
in touch centre, headway over 2f out, chased leaders and every chance over 1f out, not quickened final furlong
pressed leader centre, led group 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders centre, weakened entering final forlong
slowly into stride, held up rear on outer of centre group, headway 3f out, driven and no impression 2f out
chased leader centre 5f
chased leader centre, close up 2f out, weakened final furlong
led stand side trio, overall leader over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, pushed along and just held on
in touch centre, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
raced in mid-division of centre group, weakened 2f out
led centre group, ridden 3f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out, eased final furlong
chased winner on stand rail to halfway, weakend 3f out
held up centre, shaken up 2f out, never near leaders
dwelt, soon switched to join centre group and held up in rear, good headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, strong challenge upsides and hung left inside final furlong, just held
in touch centre, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leading pair stand side, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
An ordinary handicap can go to Auvergne, who has a similar profile to several other runners from the Mark Johnston yard that have notched up sequences of good form. Scarlet Invader, Mel's Moment and Missed A Beat are others to note in the betting market. The last named has experience of the course and is worth another try over this extra furlong. However, she would not want any further deterioration in the ground and her chance appears to hinge on the weather as much as anything. Mel's Moment has been tried at a variety of distances and shapes as if he can win a small handicap at some point. It is fair to say that we have not seen the best of Amanda Perrett's charge and he could have more to offer at this level. As could Scarlet Invader, who shaped as if he was running into form at Newmarket seventeen days ago. John Dunlop has been patient with this son of Indian Ridge and the drop back to seven furlongs may prove to be ideal for him. However, Auvergne has already started to live up to his eye-catching pedigree and shapes as if there is plenty more to come from him. A mark of 73 may prove to be very lenient for his handicap debut and Auvergne is fancied to take this en route to better things.
Forfeiter (USA) 50-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden when switched right 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 9l behind Walkonthewildside (9-4) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Knightsbridge Hill (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Prominent over 4f, eased when no chance final furlong, tailed off, last of 17, 45l behind Something Exciting (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gd in Sept.
Missed A Beat 33-1 (8-7) Mid-division, steady headway 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Intrepid Jack (8-6) at Newbury 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Auvergne 9-4fav (9-0) Soon led, headed over 4f out, remained in touch, ridden to regain lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gs beating Dispol Isle (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Cursum Perficio 33-1 (9-0) Raced keenly in mid-division, kept on under pressure final 2f, never dangerous, 4th of 12, 5l behind Pearl King (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Scarlet Invader (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 19, 5l behind Bolodenka (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Mel's Moment (USA) 14-1 (8-13) In touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 19, 9l behind Bolodenka (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Aiguille (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon in touch, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 12l behind Great Plains (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
