close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in touch, headway to track leaders 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, smooth headway from over 2f out, chased clear leader 1f out, quickened to lead well inside final furlong, soon in command, idled near finish
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, headway to track leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
steadied start, in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and ran on towards finish, nearest finish
led, ridden clear over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, not pace of winner
There's a good turnout for this Listed handicap this year and the form may be worth following. Anna's Pearl is still a maiden and has top weight but was only beaten half-a-length in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud in November. Heavy Metal was very highly tried as a juvenile but did win the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood in August, though also finished behind both Alhebayeb and Chilworth Icon on separate occasions. Emell has already had a run on the Polytrack, finishing second in a Listed race, and can't be ignored while Well Acquainted finished ahead of Chilworth Icon here in September and is preferred to Birdman and Lucky Beggar, who rather lost their way in the second half of last season. Ayaar can be forgiven his run in the National Stakes at the Curragh and has claims but there might be more to come from GARSWOOD this term. He was placed over 6f at Goodwood and York as a two-year-old so there is every chance he'll stay the extra if he's matured over the winter and his overall form suggests he's fairly treated here.
Anna's Pearl (8-13) 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Loch Garman (8-13) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m Phoenix Stks hvy in Nov.
Heavy Metal 25-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 20l behind Reckless Abandon (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Alhebayeb (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Raced centre overall leader, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Tawhid (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Garswood 7-4fav (9-0) Dwelt, chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged right under pressure, kept on well, 2nd of 6, hd behind Bungle Inthejungle (9-3) at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Birdman (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Last to break, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon ridden and outpaced, edged left and well beaten over 2f out, last of 7, 21l behind Kingsbarns (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Chilworth Icon 20-1 (9-1) Bumped start, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Havana Gold (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Well Acquainted (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Raced freely, led, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, ran on until headed and not pace of wnner final 120 yards, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Havana Gold (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Ayaar (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased clear leader, moderate 4th halfway, ridden over 2f out and no impression in 7th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 13l behind Dawn Approach (9-3) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Lucky Beggar (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 6, 3l behind Invincible Warrior (9-1) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks 2yo (1) sft in Oct.
Emell 2-1fav (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on to go 2nd near finish, not trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Teophilip (9-1) at Lingfield 7f Listed Stakes (3yo) (1) pol in Mar.
