raced keenly, led 1f, with winner, outpaced when not much room 2f out, challenged well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance until no extra near finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
steadied start, held up behind, switched right and effort 3f out, soon ridden, outpaced when edged left over 1f out, no impression final furlong
driven to lead after 1f, made rest, ridden and hard pressed well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders, driven 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with leading pair inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Midnight Martini and Ballodair hail from yards in rich form but CAPERCAILLIE may be able to resume winning ways now that her sights are lowered. The selection won her first two starts at Musselburgh before being stepped up to Pattern company where she was far from disgraced in a pair of Group 2s in mid-summer but she failed to fire on her return to action in Listed company in October. That level of form is reflected in her handicap mark but she takes up this option rather than a Listed race on Sunday which looks significant. Midnight Martini got off the mark on the third attempt but then improved markedly with victories in a nursery and a sales race before finishing a fine second in a Group 3. She should be a threat to all if maintaining that rate of progress. Ballodair needs to improve on the form he showed in the second half of last year but it would be no surprise to see him do so with the yard going so well whilst Willie Haggas' strike rate at the track ensures that everything he runs here merits the utmost respect but Capercaillie has the call.
Midnight Martini 12-1 (8-12) Raced far side, with leader, ridden 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Distinctive (8-12) at Ayr 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Comedy Hall (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 17th of 19, 10l behind Mister Hughie (9-4) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
The Only Boss (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) With leader, driven over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gd in Oct beating Chips O'toole (9-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lewyn 9-1 (9-4) Started slowly, behind, still plenty to do over 2f out, switched right and headway on outside well over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Candyfloss Girl (8-10) by nk, 7 ran.
Jack My Boy (IRE) 6-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Victoire De Lyphar (8-11) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Ballodair (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Raced towards centre, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Mister Hughie (9-6) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Capercaillie (USA) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 13l behind Layla's Hero (9-0) at York 6f 2yo Listed stks (1) gd in Oct.
Sunnandaeg 9-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Leviathan (9-1) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp (3) gs in Oct.
