tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
disputed close 3rd, pushed along in 3rd and unable to quicken over 2f out, no impression when hung left over 1f out
raced keenly disputing 3rd, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, eased over 1f out
steadied start but soon led and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Big Country is penalised 7lb for winning a Listed race at Pontefract during the summer. Spark Plug finished just ahead of the latter when runner-up at Sandown in July and should confirm running on these terms but CONVEY (NAP) may prove good enough back on the all-weather. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge has struggled on Turf since finishing a close-up fourth at Lingfield in February when attempting to repeat last year’s success in the Winter Derby and has every chance if running up to the same level today. Archetype has proved best over a mile so far and Glendevon is another with something to prove over today’s distance but the returning maiden winner Big Challenge could have been found a much easier opportunity than this and is worth a second glance.
Archetype (FR) 7-2 (9-4) Led 2f, chased leader, led again over 3f out, pushed clear over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, lost 2nd and weakened inside final 150 yards, 5th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Wadilsafa (9-0) at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Big Challenge (IRE) 6-4fav (9-6) Keen early, tracked winner, ridden and outpaced when pace quickened 2f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Monarchs Glen (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (3) pol in Apr.
Convey 5-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, keen, ridden 2f out, no impression, eased closing stages, last of 5, 10 1/2l behind Fabricate (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Glendevon (USA) 11-1 (9-3) Taken to post early, went right start, led centre group but not on terms with far side, weakened 2f out, 8th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Naval Intelligence (9-3) at Newmarket 1m lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Big Country (IRE) (9-4) 5th of 8, 4l behind Wonnemond (9-4) at Bro Park 1m pol in Sep.
Spark Plug (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, last of 7, 12 3/4l behind Emotionless (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f lst stks (1) gf in Jul.