Verdict

TELE RED found plenty to hold off previous winner Hortzadar in an apprentices race on soft going at Ayr last month. Brandon Wilkie can claim his full allowance in this so the placings should be confirmed, though there are plenty with claims in an open-looking handicap. Temper Trap could be running into form again and Stately Home has been running well on ground with plenty of give, though over longer trips. Hiromichi won on good to soft at Pontefract but Shaladar has been frustrating to follow this year and still looks a couple of pounds too high. Spioradalta won over course and distance earlier in the year, however, and Prince of Zenda still has scope. Alpha Crucis has won at Windsor and Goodwood on soft going this year and is another three-year-old worth a second look.

Formwatch

Alpha Crucis (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up well off the pace in last trio, headway near side of group when not clearest of runs and switched left inside final 2f, soon chasing leaders, strong run between horses inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 110 yards, soon clear, won at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Lunatick (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.

Spirit Genie (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Close up, led going best over 2f out, clear approaching final furlong, comfortable, won at Leicester 7f stks (4) sft in Oct beating Khathak (9-2) by 8 1/2l, 8 ran.

Shaladar (FR) 12-1 (9-1) In rear, switched right and headway on outer 2f out, ridden final 110 yards, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 16, 4 1/4l behind Painters Palette (9-10) at Redcar 1m hcp (2) gd in Oct.

Spioradalta 20-1 (8-2) Bumped start, soon prominent racing keenly, led over 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Liberty Lane (9-1) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Sep.

Prince of Zenda 6-5 (9-7) Made all, ridden 2f out where 2 lengths clear, soon asserted, 7 lengths clear approaching final furlong, went further clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Chester 1m stks (3) sft in Sep beating Britannica (9-2) by 12l, 4 ran.

Tele Red 11-8fav (10-1) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, kept on well, won at Ayr 1m hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Hortzadar (10-1) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.

Stately Home (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) Close up, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, soon chased winner, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind First Impression (10-4) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Aug.

Harswell Duke (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Dashing Roger (9-13) at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) hvy in Oct.

Hiromichi (FR) 9-2fav (9-11) Dwelt, front mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, ridden and led 1f out, ran on and asserted final 110 yards, readily, won at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Global Spirit (9-8) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.

Hortzadar 15-2 (8-9) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no telling impression and weakened inside last, 12th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Painters Palette (9-10) at Redcar 1m hcp (2) gd in Oct.

Supreme King (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner 3f out, pushed along 2f out, soon outpaced by clear winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Run Zarak Run (9-0) at Redcar 1m stks (5) hvy in Oct.

Temper Trap 5-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden and chased leader over 1f out, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Banner Road (9-3) at Ayr 1m hcp (6) hvy in Oct.

Tasever 4-1 (8-7) Slowly away, towards rear, outpaced and pushed along passing halfway, weakened from 1f out, 5th of 6, 11 3/4l behind Quest For Fun (10-0) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.