keen, raced wide led, headed 6f out, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon headed, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway to track leader over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on
tracked leader, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Camps Bay ran well off this mark last time but he's winless in three seasons and looks best watched along with Valid Reason, a horse who can improve for this sterner test but looks handicapped to go close without winning. Instead, we'll focus on Cosimo De Medici and BEGGAR'S OPERA, with the latter just preferred. Both horses are relatively fresh and arrive on the back of solid efforts but it's the unexposed Gosden runner who looks the most likely winner, having shaped encouragingly on only his second handicap start last time. The switch from Lingfield to Wolverhampton isn't expected to pose a problem and there looks to be more to come from this well-bred, 80,000gns purchase. Cosimo De Medici looked a tad unfortunate at Kempton and therefore appears fairly treated but perhaps he'll do better over a mile and a half, so he's narrowly opposed this time.
Shadows Lengthen 20-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, led after 1f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 17l behind Psychic Ability (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct.
Camps Bay (USA) 9-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Pelham Crescent (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Satwa Gold (USA) 7-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway on inner over 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased, last of 15, well behind Simonside (9-0) at York 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Cosimo De Medici 33-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Piano (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Beggar's Opera (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Led 3f, tracked winner, led again over 3f out, headed 2f out, ridden to challenge when badly hampered as winner swerved badly right over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, not recover, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Herostatus (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Valid Reason 5-2fav (9-3) Prominent, edged right and challenged 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Oldrik (9-1) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Ethics Girl (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid division, badly hampered on inside halfway, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 22l behind Spensley (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Bollin Greta 11-2 (10-0) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden and every chance final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Dubara Reef (9-1) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Animator 33-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear and keen, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 22l behind Talenti (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
