SHAMSHON will be a 12-year-old in a few weeks’ time but is still rarely beaten far in races like this. Rated 100 at one time on the all-weather, he races off 48 today and a decent apprentice takes off a further 5lb. As long as he breaks smartly, stall four is a further plus. Company Minx is the only previous course and distance winner in the line-up and a run here at the start of the month was too bad to be true. Elegant Ellen was slowly away when third here at the same meeting and can’t be ignored with Breezyandbright, who has won off a higher mark on Turf, another to consider but the maiden Maybe Tonight goes beyond 5f for the first time.
Jems Bond 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Like A Lion (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Black Box 28-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, midfield, ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on close home, never a factor, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind River Chorus (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Secret Tryst 50-1 (8-11) Disputed early lead, briefly led approaching 2f out, soon headed, weakening when hampered both sides entering final two furlongs, eased near finish, 11th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Idoapologise (9-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Viewfromthestars (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Raced keenly tracking leader, in 3rd halfway, 5th and no impression inside final 100 yards, 5th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Swiss Rowe (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Elegant Ellen (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Behind, switched right inside final furlong, ran on, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Araifjan (9-9) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Breezyandbright (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway very wide over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 13 3/4l behind Tathmeen (10-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Company Minx (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 10 1/4l behind Alafdhal (9-1) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Maybe Tonight 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, soon pushed along, losing place when hampered over 2f out, eased, 12th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Captain Corcoran (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Amazing Amaya 12-1 (9-5) Off the pace in last trio, headway between horses over 1f out, 4th and no impression inside final furlong, plugged on, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Aconcagua Mountain (9-8) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Shamshon (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up, pushed along over 1f out, late headway inside last for 5th, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Embla (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Delagate The Lady 50-1 (8-5) Dwelt, held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced under 3f out, headway from over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Rainbow Mirage (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
San Juan (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Dwelt outpaced, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 9th of 11, 12l behind Polam Lane (11-1) at Catterick 5f hcp (6) gs in Sep.
Cazeva Princess 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division out wide, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 11, 25 1/2l behind Marwari (9-10) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Pearl's A Swinger 150-1 (9-3) Chased leaders out wide, went 2nd halfway, every chance 2f out until winner quickened on inside final 2f, towards rear and struggling inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Colombidea (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
