Victory March has never won on Turf but Ayr Poet is pretty prolific in this grade and was only beaten half-a-length on heavy going at Ayr last time. Red Derek is only a pound higher than when landing this 12 months ago on heavy ground but he hasn’t run since May while Casilli has had a disappointing campaign, though has tumbled down the ratings as a consequence. Boldly has only placed so far on Tapeta so we’ll take the well-bred WINTERCRACK to bounce back from a narrow defeat at Leicester as she clearly enjoys a testing surface.
Victory March (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) Held up well off the pace in last pair, headway out wide inside final 2f, soon ridden, went modest 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 6 1/4l behind Notimeforanother (9-9) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Unplugged (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Always in rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace entering final furlong, 7th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Stressfree (9-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Boldly (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in midfield, ridden over 2f out, headway into 3rd entering final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Oh So Grand (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Lunar Jet 40-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, midfield, ridden over 3f out, no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Stressfree (9-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Casilli 20-1 (9-9) Slowly away, towards rear, pushed along 2f out, not clear runs over 1f out and switched left, kept on and hampered inside last, never a chance to challenge, 7th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Hiromichi (9-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Ayr Poet 17-2 (9-9) In touch with leaders on outer, smooth headway to lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Bashful (10-4) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Wintercrack 2-1fav (9-10) Led, 5 lengths clear halfway, pushed along and reduced lead 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, rallied close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Kamanika (9-9) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Bustaam (FR) 12-1 (9-7) Midfield, pushed along 3f out, ridden in fourth 2f out, no extra when dropped to fifth near finish, 5th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Doom (9-2) at Redcar 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.
Sagauteur (FR) 22-1 (9-11) Dwelt, mid-division, pushed along 3f out, dropped away well over 1f out, 9th of 10, 30 1/4l behind Dandy's Angel (9-5) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Sep.
Don't Look Back 13-2 (10-1) Led, headed but prominent 6f out, ridden and lost position over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 16l behind Ebony Maw (9-7) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Loddon 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Hiromichi (9-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Red Derek 16-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden wide and headway over 2f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 4th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Scottish Dancer (9-4) at Chester 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
