led at steady pace, quickened just over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon chasing winner, kept on same pace
held up in 4th, raced keenly, headway to challenge well over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on under pressure
tracked leader, driven to lead over 1f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well
Bookish can land the spoils in this disappointingly supported handicap with Southwest Star and Autumn Blades as the alternatives. Bookish has been saddled with a seven pound penalty for a recent success at Wolverhampton and while he is probably plenty exposed these days, connections probably cant believe their luck in finding such a weak race for a follow-up. Southwest Star is a long standing maiden. He ran one of his better races last time out at this course but that probably isnt saying too much. Autumn Blades has had a few names called about him in the past. He might not be the most straight-forward in the world but he has a degree of latent potential. Affirmatively was highly tried as a juvenile and the handicapper appears not to have been particularly forgiving for such lofty ambitions in the past. A disappointing turnout and Bookish is backed to strike again.
Bookish 9-4fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led well over 2f out, clear well over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Rich Kid (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 13-8 (9-3) Raced keenly towards rear, headway going well to lead inside final 2f, edge badly left final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 8, hd behind Steele Tango (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) pol.
Affirmatively 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened, 10th of 12, 6l behind Ike Quebec (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Southwest Star (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to take 4th close home, 4th of 9, 2l behind Fathsta (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
