led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on
mid-division, lost place and ridden halfway, switched right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, effort over 2f out, never trouble leaders
slowly into stride, held up, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
pulled hard, led 1f, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, stayed on, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, behind, headway 3f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, no extra final furlong
From a shortlist containing Old Bailey, Andulai, First Maite, Jarvo and Penel, we will opt for Old Bailey. Spinning through the runners and Shielaligh looked a little one-paced when tried on this surface last time, although bare ratings afford her a chance. Old Bailey won a handicap here off 54 in the summer and a return to that sort of level of form would see him competitive. Andulai came good in a similar course event last time and, with his confidence high, is entitled to some consideration. First Maite holds his form pretty well, albeit at a modest level, given that he is 11 years of age, and has recent form enough to come firmly into the reckoning today. If Jarvo can replicate on the all-weather his August Turf form then he would have a serious chance. Munaahej is well-related and, being lightly raced, could have better to come, although he was beaten in a Turf seller last time. Penel ran poorly on this surface in October but then improved on Southwell's Fibresand last time. If he transfers that latter type of effort to the Polytrack then he cannot be ruled out of things. Finally, much as she showed ability in Turf maidens at or around this trip in the spring, Beauchamp Star's breeding very much suggests that she will be more at home over a longer trip, although her only try so far at middle-distances proved little. As you can probably gather, it is not a race that inspires a confident choice but, for what it is worth, we opt for Old Bailey.
