raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on
keen in touch, pushed along 6f out, ridden 4f out, lost place 3f out
in touch, ridden and headway on outer 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, no extra and lost 3rd close home
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, soon led, ridden and ran on
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, chased leader until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, went 3rd close home
slowly away, in rear, behind 3f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden 4f out, not trouble leaders
The Grey One is one pound lower than when picking up this prize twelve months ago and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see him return to form but the vote's awarded to PATTERN MARK despite a disappointing performance when last seen. The race didn't really play to his strengths as it paid to race near the pace that day and a stronger pace this time around can see him return to the winner's enclosure. The slight concern is that there may not be a huge amount of pace on offer again but Indian Violet and Bentley have both cut out the running in the past so will hopefully do so again. A decent pace will also suit Royal Willy who has definitely got races in him from his current mark and it would be no surprise to see him go very close with Paul Hanagan in the saddle.
Bernix 20-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 23l behind Bakongo (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Watchmaker 18-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Twisted (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Diamond Daisy (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Towards rear and outpaced, last of 16, 23l behind Smarty Socks (10-0) at York 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Royal Willy (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Dwelt held up, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Lord Of The Dance (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
The Grey One (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders and keen when hampered after 1f, soon towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 7l behind Aviso (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Strike Force 14-1 (10-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 16l behind Dean Iarracht (10-8) at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sep.
Bentley 8-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Astound (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Pattern Mark 2-1fav (9-1) Held up towards rear, widest of all over 2f out, switched left and headway well over 1f out, not able to reach leaders, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Highland Love (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Bubbly Braveheart (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon driven and no impression, 5th of 12, 9l behind Finch Flyer (8-10) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Jezza 6-1 (9-0) Always rear division, 10th of 12, 15l behind Beat Up (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Indian Violet (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final 50 yards, 6th of 11, 6l behind Casino Night (9-11) at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sep.
Cottonfields (USA) 18-1 (10-2) Raced stands' side, held up, merged with far side halfway, not trouble leaders, 11th of 13, 27l behind Gross Prophet (10-4) at Salisbury 1m ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Verity Lane (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Chased leaders on inside until driven and weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 11, 7l behind Paphos (8-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sep.
