mid-division, ridden and hung left 2f out, not much room 1f out, one pace
led to halfway, ridden over 1f out, eased when held towards finish
in touch, ridden 3f out, edged left and one pace from over 1f out
dwelt, mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace
soon chasing leader, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, eased towards finish
mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
dwelt, soon outpaced, never dangerous
Aquilegia has the proven ability to handle cut in the ground and is selected ahead of Speedy Suzanne and High Lite, while Remark is an interesting one to note amongst the remainder of the field. Remark made little impression in two starts for Andre Fabre before recently joining the ultra-canny Mick Easterby. It will be interesting to see how the Yorkshireman campaigns this son of Machiavellian and he is one to keep tabs on from here. High Lite gave encouraging signs last time out and may have plenty more to offer. She needs to keep improving but will be a nice proposition for a handicap after this. Speedy Suzanne was not knocked about on her debut at Yarmouth and will be wiser for the run. The daughter of Observatory needs to learn to settle but should be capable of making the rest aware of her presence. However, this does look an ideal opportunity for Aquilegia to stamp her authority on the field after several promising efforts to date. Graham Gibbons knows her well and he can confidently expect his mount to know what to do when push comes to shove on this testing ground.
Botham (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Led for 2f, stayed pressing leader until weakened rapidly over 2f out, 8th of 10, 18l behind Escape Route (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Hereford Boy 66-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Genuine Call (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Oct.
Mangano 100-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Luscivious (9-0) at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Remark (IRE) (8-3) In touch to over 1f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 9l behind Literato (9-0) at Deauville 1m stk in Aug.
The Bronx 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders and weakened 1f out, 10th of 13, 6l behind Heywood (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Jul.
Zain (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) Very slowly away, ridden halfway, never nearer, 9th of 12, 17l behind Princess Valerina (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Aquilegia (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Dwelt, headway over 1f out, joined winner inside last, no extra close home, 2nd of 13, hd behind Malaaq (9-3) at Yarmouth 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Classic Blue (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Dwelt, always behind, 11th of 12, 14l behind Roodolph (8-9) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Sept.
High Lite 66-1 (8-12) Awkward start, behind, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 12, 10l behind Undertone (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Nellie Lake Coniston filly out of 6f winner Boomerang Blade.
Bentley 50-1 (7-12) In touch for 2f, tailed off over 2f out, last of 7, well behind Foxxy (8-7) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sept.
Speedy Suzanne (USA) 9-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 12l behind Averticus (9-3) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
