Verdict

Affina was placed yet again at Musselburgh and has yet to win a handicap. Allante, Blanchefleur and Katie Lee all won their penultimate starts but failed to cope with a rise in the weights last time while Why We Dream’s earlier success came in novice company. Queen Penn went close at Ayr last time and steps up to a mile for the first time along with CRAFTY MADAM but the latter is preferred on her recent placed effort in a higher grade at Newmarket and Clive Cox’ filly is taken to come out best.

Formwatch

Affina (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, driven and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Rose Tinted Spirit (8-6) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Crafty Madam (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) In touch, pushed along and headway 2f out, soon switched right, stayed on to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Right Direction (9-10) at Newmarket 7f hcp fll (3) gd in Sep.

Caiya 14-1 (9-5) With leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 9, 11l behind Preening (9-7) at Sandown 1m hcp fll (4) gf in Jun.

Queen Penn 14-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, driven over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, took 2nd towards finish, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Explain (8-10) at Ayr 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.

Kyllachys Tale (IRE) 3-1fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 18 1/2l behind Yaa Mous (9-0) at Leicester 1m hcp fll (5) gd in Sep.

Allante (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Scottish Jig (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (4) pol in Aug.

Nightingale Valley 16-1 (9-11) Behind, detached over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Allegiant (8-11) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (5) gd in Sep.

Why We Dream (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 3rd post, 4th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Rampant Lion (9-4) at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) sft in Sep.

Blanchefleur (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders when not clear run and switched outside well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on into 4th inside final furlong, never pace to challenge, 4th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Croque Monsieur (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Aug.

Hellovaqueen 50-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader 5f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 5 1/4l behind The Warrior (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp (5) pol in Sep.

Katie Lee (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 9, 5l behind Keeper's Choice (8-9) at Sandown 7f hcp fll (4) gd in Sep.

Paramount Love 11-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, hard driven over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 7, 21 1/2l behind Harmonica (9-5) at Hamilton 1m hcp fll (4) sft in Sep.

Culdrose 8-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, plugged on inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 6th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Counter Spirit (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Sep.