chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened final furlong
behind, headway halfway, ran on final furlong, not reached winner
raced in rear, ridden halfway, soon no impression
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
held up in touch, driven halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well
soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra
pulled hard in rear, never a factor
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, not pace of winner
always behind
DUSTY SPIRIT chalked up his only career success over course and distance and after some good runs in defeat is given the nod with Felsham and Hot Pursuits looking the dangers if both are fit on their seasonal bows. After finding just the one too good in both starts this season the pick has nothing to prove in the fitness department. Those two runs are a continuation of some progressive form shown as a juvenile and back at this venue he looks the one to beat. Felsham had a good juvenile campaign. He scored well in a maiden before two decent efforts in Nursery company and if he's trained on he'll be a live contender. Hot Pursuits is bred for sprinting and scored on his first go over this trip last time. He looks the type to improve for an introduction into these ranks but we'll watch on his seasonal return. A tough race to judge this but Dusty Spirit looks the one.
Dusty Spirit 3-1fav (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, nk behind Niran (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Hot Pursuits 17-2 (8-12) Chased clear leader, challenged well over 1f out, soon led, ran on well, won at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Oct beating Adventure Story (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Avonvalley 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and some headway on rail final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 5l behind Silver Linnet (8-9) at Ffos Las 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Leleyf (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and edged right to stand side rail over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Monsieur Joe (9-7) at Yarmouth 5f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Felsham 6-1fav (8-9) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Dubai Set (9-4) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Morgans Choice 13-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 11, 11l behind Lewyn (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Feeling Fragile (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Raced keenly and led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Prince Of Sorrento (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
Nepotism 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Secret Millionaire (9-5) at Lingfield 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Wanchai Whisper 3-1 (9-0) Dwelt, keen, soon chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 9l behind Athwaab (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo clm stks (6) pol.
