in touch in rear, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders
dwelt, soon tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong and joined, asserted towards finish
pushed along to track leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt in touch in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden to join winner over 1f out when hung left, every chance until no extra towards finish
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
Mick Appleby trains three of these with Whittle Le Woods preferred in this grade to last month’s Newcastle runner-up Nigel Nott and the returning Saatty. Prontissimo is 6lb higher than when landing a sprint at Ascot in September and Secret Moment drops down in distance on his return having won over 7f at Wolverhampton in October. PUERTO DE VEGA has won two of four outings since joining Stuart Williams and fitted with a tongue-tie. Given the ease of his latest success at Kempton, he’s taken to defy a hike in the weights and go in again.
Prontissimo 40-1 (9-1) Steadied and switched left start, held up in rear, never on terms, 9th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Vadream (8-12) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Whittle Le Woods 12-1 (9-4) Raced wide, held up, very wide into straight 2f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 11, 3l behind If You Dare (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (3) pol in Apr.
Nigel Nott 17-2 (9-11) Close up, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Spartan Fighter (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Puerto De Vega 13-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders on inside, switched out and went 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, readily, won at Kempton 6f hcp (3) pol in Mar beating Bobby On The Beat (8-6) by 3l, 12 ran.
Secret Moment (IRE) 11-4fav (9-8) Went left and bumped start, soon chasing leaders and keen, close 3rd 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead final 150 yards, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Port Noir (9-2) by 2l, 12 ran.
Saatty (IRE) 10-3jfav (9-8) Close up, pushed along and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 9, 9 1/2l behind Prospect (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Sep.