held up in touch, improved over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up mid-division, headway and edged left over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, kept on
towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, never nearer
held up in touch, ridden and improved over 2f out, chased leader and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
raced wide, held up towards rear, ridden halfway, soon weakened
raced wide, held up towards rear, weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out
keen, held up, ridden and weakened over 3f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened
A nightmare of a race to fathom and HAVING A BALL is only a speculative choice; Out Of Nothing and Betteras Bertie are others worth considering, while Tuscan Treaty is not without a chance if she consents to give her all today. The last named can be a law unto herself, though. And has never been one in whom to place maximum faith. Out Of Nothing won a modest race last time out and is respected on that form. Still, this is a tougher assignment and this ex-Irish mare has improvement to find today. Betteras Bertie returned from a break with a solid run here six days ago - a repeat of which would bring him right into the thick of the argument. It's interesting his connections seem to have decided he doesn't need a visor and, having run so well last week, the kickback is not expected to be an issue. His tendency to miss the break is a concern, though, as he often leaves himself with too much to do near the finish. Therefore, Having A Ball gets the nod on this occasion. The four-year-old's best efforts have come when he has raced up with the pace and, assuming Jamie Spencer is live to the fact, a big effort can be expected from the son of Mark Of Esteem.
Time To Regret 33-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway on otuside over 4f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Bramalea (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Having A Ball 9-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Epidaurian King (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Boss Hog 20-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 24l behind Master of Arts (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in May.
Blue Empire (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led briefly over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 17l behind Rowan Lodge (9-1) at Carlisle 1m clm (6) frm in Jul.
Out Of Nothing 7-1 (7-12) Made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on well, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy beating Distant Pleasure (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Josephine Malines 10-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Siena Star (9-3) at Brighton 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Dry Speedfit (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Slowly away, soon recovered, headway when hung badly left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 16, 7l behind Highland Homestead (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gs in Oct.
Betteras Bertie 40-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, switched right to race wide soon after, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Megalo Maniac (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Riverhill (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Held up, struggling halfway, last of 16, well behind Prince Rhyddarch (10-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Tuscan Treaty 20-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, effort over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Lopinot (9-3) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Sydneyroughdiamond 100-1 (8-2) Led racing keenly, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 26l behind Superior Star (8-8) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Government (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, 9th of 13, 12l behind My Mentor (9-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jul.
Veronicas Way 28-1 (8-1) Took keen hold tracking leader, led well over 5f out, ridden, hung left over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Dazzling Begum (8-6) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) sft in Oct.
Classy Affair 33-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 13, 20l behind Blue Admiral (8-5) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Sept.
