behind final 5f
held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, ran onto lead towards finish
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway and not clear run over 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on
soon led, headed 6f out, led again over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, led briefly 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
led early,led again 6f out to over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, led just inside final furlong, headed towards finish
pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
In a fascinating handicap Yarmouth winner Sonntag Blue is certainly one to consider, however Young Mick looks to be returning to somewhere near his best and he gets the vote, with Dara Mac and Cost Analysis also expected to be on the premises. George Margarson's three-year-old belied odds of 40/1 when finishing a close up fourth behind Barons Spy. It was quite a decent time and this race looks slightly easier so a repeat of that effort could be good enough. Dara Mac chased home Three Ships last time and merits plenty of respect on that performance. Meanwhile Cost Analysis is from a top yard and should appreciate this step up in trip. However the main threat to the selection could come from Sonntag Blue who hasn't raced since that victory in August, but does go well fresh and won here off a much higher mark last December. Bets of the others could be Shaheer, but Young Mick looks on the upgrade and gets the decision.
Gem Bien (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 6l behind Barons Spy (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Young Mick 40-1 (8-12) Took keen hold in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1/2l behind Barons Spy (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Dara Mac 12-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Three Ships (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Nov.
Azreme 9-1 (8-12) Always in rear, outpaced from over 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 3l behind Augustine (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Cost Analysis (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, some late headway, never nearer, 5th of 14, 6l behind El Potro (9-0) at Southwell 5f mdn stk (5) fbs in Nov.
Shaheer (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Prominent, chased winner from 6f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Aswan (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Sonntag Blue (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, soon hung badly left, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Yarmouth 1m 3yo sll hcp (6) gf in Aug beating Creek Dancer (9-4) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lady Suesanne (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden 2f out, edged right and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Mytton's Bell (9-0) at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs in Oct.