keen, led to over 4f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
switched left at start, always behind
in touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden and headway to lead over 2f out, hung left and headed well inside final furlong
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders
mid-division, headway over 3f out, not much room over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, edged left close home
prominent and keen, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon hung left, ran on
prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, soon weakened
Convince gets a tentative vote of confidence in a tricky handicap where Morgan Lewis, Mugeba and Ermine Grey also make plenty of appeal. Ermine Grey is consistent at this sort of level and can give each-way backers plenty to shout about. However, he is on a long losing run and, as he has never yet won on turf, he needs luck on his side in this company. Mugeba is another that can be relied upon to give his all and, as he should cope with the ground, a bold attempt should be forthcoming; if he truly gets the trip. Morgan Lewis has form with cut in the ground and a strong case can be made for him on the very best of his form. Again the distance may be a fraction beyond his optimum though, and it will take a good effort from the Jonathon Geake-trained gelding. Therefore, at the likely odds, Convince makes more appeal as a betting proposition. Milton Bradley has tried the son of Mt Livermore over a variety of distances during his career and has been rewarded with a string of solid efforts. Barry Savage's 7lb claim will do him no harm under the prevailing conditions and, with doubts about many of them lasting home, Convince has little to find to simply out-stay the rest in the dash for the line.
Atlantic Story (USA) 11-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 5th of 16, 3l behind Bridegroom (8-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sept.
Foolish Groom 12-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and faded, 9th of 15, 8l behind Primeshade Promise (8-10) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sept.
Credential 80-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 15, 25l behind Seabow (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft in Oct.
Bold Haze 12-1 (8-9) Raced centre, held up in touch, headway to chase winner 3f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Bodden Bay (8-10) at Leicester 7f sll hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Morgan Lewis (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Taranaki (8-10) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Topiary Ted 16-1 (8-12) Raced stands' side, held up, headway to lead stands' side group over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Blessed Place (8-13) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (6) gf in Sept '05.
Aberlady Bay (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 7l behind Woolfall Blue (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Convince (USA) 8-1 (8-10) Prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Megalala (8-6) at Brighton 7f clm (6) gs in Sept.
Wizard of Us 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Muscari (9-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sept.
Ermine Grey 10-1 (9-6) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 13l behind Royal Flynn (9-7) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Band 10-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Rowan Lodge (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) sft in Oct.
Mixing 14-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 17, 4l behind Royal Flynn (9-7) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Kathleen Kennet 40-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, switched right to outside 5f out, no impression, 9th of 11, 19l behind Abstract Folly (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sept.
The Grey One (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) In touch, chased winner from 3f out, held over 1f out, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Show Winner (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) hvy in Oct.
Wizby 20-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Boppys Pride (8-4) at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) hvy in Oct.
Mugeba 3-1fav (8-13) Held up, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Black Sea Pearl (8-10) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
First Rhapsody (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Dwelt and towards rear, soon chased along to go mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Tequila Sheila (8-7) at Catterick 7f hcap (6) sft in Aug.
