held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
slowly away, held up towards rear and keen, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
The progressive WESTERN PRINCE may well defy an 8lb hike in the weights given the ease of his success over 1m6f at Southwell last time. This longer trip should bring further improvement and he’s preferred to Aldreth, who was placed yet again when third at Newcastle on his latest start. Percy Veer still looks high enough in the weights but Cotton Club is back on a winning mark and Excellent Puck should be sharper for November’s outing at Lingfield. Bracken Brae and Modernism have something to prove over 2m, however, and Free Bounty’s earlier course and distance success came in a lower grade.
Cotton Club (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, effort entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Alfredo (9-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Percy Veer 4-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Beltor (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Modernism 10-1 (9-5) In rear, outpaced 3f out, never a threat, last of 10, 9l behind Van Huysen (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Excellent Puck (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Led , ridden and headed approaching final furlong, faded towards finish, 6th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Priors Brook (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Aldreth 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Stamford Raffles (9-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Western Prince 7-4fav (9-2) Keen, held up in touch, headway to track leader entering final 3f, led 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Goldslinger (9-7) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bracken Brae 20-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Beltor (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Free Bounty 20-1 (10-12) Held up, in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, mistake and hampered 4 out, modest 5th 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out, 5th of 14, dist behind Tyrell (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Dec.
