broke well, prominent, weakened over 3f out, eased
slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra
held up, ridden over 2f out, never a danger
towards rear, hampered after 1f, never a factor
keen, edged left after 1f, pulled away through to track leaders 3f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, led 2f out, weakening when heading inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, one pace
held up, driven and headway over 2f out, edging left from over 1f out and ran on to lead inside final furlong
soon led, headed 2f out and weakened
always in the rear
Mr Chocolate Drop rates as a token selection against Desert Lover and Stargazy. Mr Chocolate Drop has ran a couple of fair races at this grade in recent weeks and were he able to reproduce the form that saw him a close up second to Epidaurian King over course and distance, he should be capable of going very close. Desert Lover has had plenty of chances and hasn't won since March 2007. He invariably looks as if his turn is just around the corner. Stargazy was punted on Monday afternoon but probably was left with too much to do once a bad race began in earnest. Front running Lizarazu has Chris Catlin in the plate so a watch of the market is advised. Only If I Laugh is likely to be making headway when others have cried enough. A moderate closing affair and Mr Chocolate Drop is recommended to minimum stakes.
Bovered (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Hampered start, outpaced, always in rear, 6th of 7, 15l behind Star Strider (9-13) at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol.
Buzzin'boyzee (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Started slowly, towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 3l behind Jools (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Desert Lover (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression over 1f out, 8th of 10, 8l behind Polish Prize (8-9) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Lizarazu (GER) 11-1 (9-5) Soon led, headed 5f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 12, 10l behind Charlottebutterfly (9-5) at Lingfield 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Sept.
Mays Louise 150-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, keen, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Taikoo (8-8) at Southwell 1m mdn stk (5) fbs.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 3-1fav (8-9) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, headway on inner over 1f out, had every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Government (9-0) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Oberows Lady (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and no impression from over 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 13th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Send Me Home (9-0) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 0-60 gd in Aug.
Only If I Laugh 7-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, raced keenly in mid-division, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Frank's Quest (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Stargazy 8-1 (8-11) In rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Charlotte Grey (9-0) at W'hampton 6f app stk (7) pol.
Telepathic (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Polish Prize (8-9) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Tuscan Treaty 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear until some late headway, never nearer, 9th of 14, 15l behind Future Deal (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
