held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, stayed on final furlong, held near finish
close up, ridden and weakened 2f out
close up, led inside final furlong, driven out
held up in touch, one pace inisde final furlong
led, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, stayed on from over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, tracked leaders over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
This valuable and competitive handicap can go to CAPONE ahead of Imprimis Tagula and Orpenindeed. Roger Curtis' gelding takes a step up in grade here but the manner of his success last time suggested there may well be more to come over the winter and he's given the chance to follow up under a 6lb penalty. Hayley Turner takes the ride once more and we're hopeful she can time her challenge to perfection and land this from Imprimis Tagula. Alan Bailey's charge has won three of his last four and should again run well under a penalty although the feeling remains that he's better at Southwell and is unlikely to offer much value here so he's narrowly passed over. Orpenindeed steps back up to six furlongs here having been slightly outpaced over the minimum last time. Prior to that effort Marco Botti's charge had won well over this trip and must have claims back at his ideal trip off just 4lbs higher. Earlsmedic is another who won last time and Stuart Williams' animal has prospects once more but he's work to do with our selection at these weights and a bigger threat may come from Five Star Junior who can usually be relied upon to run his race although he might need a bit of respite from the handicapper before scoring. Rain Rush looks feasibly treated but he's been off for over a year and might need this whilst Ebraam was beaten in claiming company last time and will need to step up if he's to take this competitive race. With Toms Laughter and Matsunosuke looking out of form this looks best left to Capone.
Matsunosuke 50-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, lost place halfway, tailed off, last of 20, 21l behind Quest For Success (8-10) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Five Star Junior (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, effort apporaching final furlong, stayed on towards finsih, not pace of leading pair, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Global City (8-12) at Lingfield 6f stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Nov.
Ebraam (USA) 4-9fav (8-12) Dwelt, slowly into stride, in rear off the pace, wide and headway into straight 2f out, soon ridden, pressed winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken, always held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Glamorous Spirit (9-0) at Lingfield 5f clm stks (6) pol.
Smokey Ryder 22-1 (9-8) Always behind, last of 10, 13l behind Noverre To Go (9-7) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 5-1 (7-11) With leaders 2f, taken back to track leaders after, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on comfortably, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs beating Ingleby Arch (8-11) by 9l, 9 ran.
Earlsmedic 11-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating Capone (9-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 21l behind Imprimis Tagula (7-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Capone (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on readily, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Vhujon (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Toms Laughter 12-1 (9-2) Always in rear, ridden halfway, never a factor, last of 10, 8l behind Lesley's Choice (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Mrs Penny (AUS) 11-4 (9-4) Held up, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Green Park (8-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Rain Rush (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Towards rear, headway in 6th 2f out, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Breaker Morant (7-11) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov '08.
Orpenindeed (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Gilt Edge Girl (8-8) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
