held up in touch, headway 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, one pace under pressure
held up mid-division, headway and effort 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on strongly
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
led, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway and effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, no impression
tracked leader, pushed and weakened quickly over 3f out, soon behind
Middleham-based Mark Johnston is the leading trainer here over the last five seasons but sets a poser by saddling both the once-raced Cake It Easy and newcomer Herne Bay. The former made a pleasing introduction when third over 7f at Haydock in late September and is entitled to improve for the experience while the latter is by Hernando out of a Listed-class winner so should be noted in the market. Jarjoor showed that he is progressing along the right lines and will appreciate this trip when a staying-on fourth over 7f at Brighton last month while Louis Napoleon is another to consider. Gerard Butler's colt hails from the family of Derby hero Oath and looks sure to leave his debut effort on the all-weather behind him. Sir Mark Prescott boasts an impressive strike rate here but Surf The Web has shown little to date so the TEAMtalk vote goes to Admiral Collins. A Sadler's Wells full brother to former Racing Post Trophy winner Commander Collins, John Gosden's charge was clear of the remainder when fourth in a Newbury maiden last month and should take full advantage of a significant drop in grade before contesting Pattern event next year.
