made most until approaching 5th, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out
in touch, raced keenly, every chance approaching 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat
with leader until led approaching 5th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, mistake last
held up, pulled hard, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, pulled hard, not fluent 3rd, headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid division on outside, headway 5th, led going well approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed last, not quicken flat
held up towards rear, headway when mistake 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, driven out
prominent, ridden after 3 out, 4th and beaten when blundered last
prominent, not fluent 3rd, every chance 3 out, 5th and no extra when blundered last
in touch, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, weakened 3 out
This is a poor contest to get proceedings underway and what can only be a tentative vote goes to the unexposed MARLBOROUGH SOUND, who gets the vote ahead of Liberty Seeker and Raffish. The last mentioned was slightly disappointing at Stratford last time but has solid claims on the form shown when landing a similar contest at Perth previously. The Ron Hodges-trained Royal Prodigy has been well held in his two starts this term. Can Can Flyer, a winner of a Newton Abbot seller in June, failed to reproduce anything like that form on his return at Stratford recently and looks best watched. Liberty Seeker lost no caste in defeat when narrowly beaten in a handicap over course and distance last week and he has every chance if able to reproduce the form of that effort here but preference is for Marlborough Sound. Less exposed than his rivals, the nine-year-old ran encouragingly on a belated return to action after a two year break when a close third behind The Weaver and a reproduction of that effort may well suffice.
Can Can Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led until approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Dalaram (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Sept, 11 ran.
Decree Nisi 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Insignia (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Bold Trump 80-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 14, well behind Tagula Blue (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Global Achiever 66-1 (10-8) Keen, chased leader 2nd, weakening when hit 6th, behind when blundered 2 out, no chance when pulled up at the last in race won by North Walk (11-9) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Oct, 14 ran.
Ice Lad (NZ) 100-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, jumped right, led until approaching 5th, blundered badly 7th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 40l behind Mizen Raven (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway 5th, edged right towards finish, stayed on, 3rd of 18, 3/4l behind Picky (11-5) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Marlborough Sound 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway and every chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon hung right and one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind The Weaver (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Royal Prodigy (USA) 50-1 (10-3) In rear, pushed along after 4th, stayed on past beaten horses from 3 out, went a moderate 4th flat, 4th of 15, 22l behind First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Satindra (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden along over 4f, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 32l behind Victory Quest (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Oct (Flat).
Tarkesar (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) In touch, reminder after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 13, 31l behind Melvino (11-5) at Stratford 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Beshairt 150-1 (9-12) Held up, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 18, 18l behind Art Modern (10-12) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Raffish 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 21l behind Insignia (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Oct.
