held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, soon driven, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on under strong pressure to lead final strides
behind, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance when hung badly right inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, led well over 1f out, headed final strides
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon behind
slowly away, behind, driven over 4f out, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on
led until ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
always prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance well inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, headway when not clear run briefly and switched right over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
An interesting opener where short list material includes Night Groove, Countrywide Belle, Mystified and Psycho Cat, and we take Mystified to score. The Roger Fisher-trained gelding could potentially be well handicapped on this, his second start on this surface. A fast ground winner at Musselburgh in the summer from a mark of 67, he races off 6lb lower here, and although he was well beaten last time, he was not disgraced and can make amends. Night Groove will be popular back over the course and distance that brought his latest win. Although he was thrashed at Southwell last time, and the surface looked a valid excuse, his rise in the weights is of more concern. Countrywide Belle is 7lb better off with Night Groove for her defeat by him here last month and could reverse the placings tonight, while Psycho Cat's back-to-back Southwell wins have brought a rise in the weights, and couple with a step up in trip mean he has a bit more to prove here. In summary then, we take a chance here with Mystified.
Mystified (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) Soon well behind, 8th of 10, 8l behind Aravalli (8-10) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Ruffie (IRE) 3-1fav (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up, driven over 4f out, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Mr Rigsby (8-11) at W'hampton 7f 2yo sll (6) pol in Sept.
Psycho Cat 6-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, hard ridden and ran on to lead near finish, won at Southwell 6f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Nov beating Inaminute (8-9) by a hd, 12 ran.
Angelina Bankes 7-1 (8-6) Led 2f, ridden when not much room over 2f out, switched right 1f out, ran on towards finish, 5th of 12, 3l behind Fusili (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Nov.
Countrywide Belle 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 16l behind Moi Aussi (9-1) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
First Byte 25-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, outpaced, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 6l behind Magidene (8-8) at W'hampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Chookie Windsor 33-1 (9-0) Always behind, 10th of 13, 16l behind Idarah (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Tafilah 14-1 (8-4) Led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Fusili (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Nov.
