tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, driven to challenge winner inside final furlong, just held near finish
dwelt, in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
in touch in rear, wide and effort to press leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
Dolphin Rock is on form but although he is a live contender in this small field handicap preference is made for CULTIVAR with the Barry Hills runner stepping down a couple of grades and Layla's Lexi looks best of the remaining trio. Still unexposed the pick was a nice winner of a Haydock maiden in May before being a little outclassed in a really decent handicap last time. He still showed enough on that debut in these ranks to suggest he can run well off this mark and we his sights lowered he looks the one. Dolphin Rock has won two of his last four outings and recorded the latest of those with a game victory at Haydock on his last start. He's up 5lbs in the handicap for that run but should still be in with a chance of challenging. Layla's Lexi is also on form and has won her only visit to this track. That came last time out when she stayed on nicely to get the better of Sandy Shaw and her revised mark looks fair. Flipping will need to improve on his second in a claimer last time and has fitness to prove and with Faith Jicaro looking a little high in the weights Cultivar can win now down in class.
Cultivar 11-2 (9-1) Soon tracking winner, ridden to challenge over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Rebel Soldier (9-5) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Dolphin Rock 9-2fav (9-3) Led early, tracked leader, lead again over 4f out, ridden 2f out, ran on gamely, won at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun beating Pintura (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Flipping 6-4fav (8-8) Held up, in touch, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Empress Leizu (7-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Layla's Lexi 7-1 (9-7) Always prominent, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Sandy Shaw (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Faith Jicaro (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Raced wide, never better than mid-division, 9th of 11, 18l behind Aktia (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.