prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up, headway over 2f out, kept on, never able to challenge
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged left ran on
soon led, headed 3f out, led again over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along halfway, never on terms
held up mid-division, lost place over 3f out
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, led just over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on
dwelt, held up, never on terms
pulled hard and prominent, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well closing stages
in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
always prominent, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure
mid-division, effort and hampered over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
In the nursery, The Illies gets the call ahead of Ladies Best and Well Il Balad. Raised nine pounds for his Ayr romp when stepped up to this trip for the first time, Oakey Supreme is not ruled out of a good run. Ladies Best looked good when winning her maiden and is one to consider, along with The Illies, whose turn of foot at today's trip has served him well in winning his last two and he can go well again. Opera Music is a little hard to assess based on his narrow Bath win in a falsely-run race, while Well Il Balad is interesting on his handicap debut following a maiden win. Finally, Silca Key might fare best of those among the lightweights, and Buccellati is entitled to be improving. Overall, though, we will stick with The Illies.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Mid-division, not clear run until switched right over 1f out, soon ridden and good headway to lead inside final furlong, won at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (2) gs in Sept beating Princeton (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Greek Envoy 3-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, hung right 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 9l behind Ready For Spring (9-5) at Leicester 7f nov stk (4) gf in Sept.
Ladies Best 11-2 (9-3) Behind, switched left and good headway 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, pushed clear, won at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept beating Actodos (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Paceman (USA) 5-2 (9-3) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept beating Eco Centrism (9-3) by a nk, 9 ran.
The Illies (IRE) 15-8fav (8-11) Keen, held up in last place, ridden, headway to chase leader approaching final furlong, soon every chance, driven, led post, won at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept beating Glorious Prince (7-11) by a shd, 8 ran.
Opera Crown (IRE) 2-5fav (9-3) Made all, set steady pace, ridden 3f out, all out when challenged final furlong and hung left close home, won at Bath 1m 2f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept beating Here Comes Buster (9-3) by a hd, 7 ran.
Moonwalking 14-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 6l behind Smokey Oakey (8-7) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (2) gs in Sept.
Buccellati 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, hung left just over 1f out, ran on, won at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug beating Shake On It (8-13) by a shd, 12 ran.
Brainy Benny (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Soon tracking leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Strobilus (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Romanov Dynasty (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) No danger from after halfway on stand's side, 20th of 28, 24l behind Miss Beatrix (8-9) at Curragh 7f 2yo aut gs in Sept.
Emma's Surprise 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, raced wide, driven halfway, soon beaten, 14th of 18, 15l behind Sander Camillo (8-12) at Ascot 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Weld Il Balad (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ran on final furlong to lead well inside last, kept on, won at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Aug beating Security Tiger (8-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Our Herbie 15-2 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Sept beating Golan Way (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Loch Tay 3-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 4l behind Salient (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Silca Key 16-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Blithe (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gs in Sept.
Balnagore 6-1 (9-3) Behind in touch, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Kid Mambo (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Sept.
