held up behind leaders, ridden along over 3f, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
in touch, ridden along 4f out, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along over 4f, some late headway, never reached challenging position
mid-division, effort when not much room over 2f out, switched right and one pace final furlong
steadied at start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden out final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f, soon beaten
towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, had no chance with winner
led until headed and weakened 3f out
Hughie Morrison has his string in good order and he can take this opener with Nur Tau, while Boz and Coyote Creek are among others with chances. The selection's recent form figures do not look too inspiring on paper, but as a result he has been dropping down the handicap and is now just 2lb higher than his most recent win. He was a shade unlucky last time and there is reason to believe he can improve for this first try at 1m 4f, as he is by Peintre Celebre, and he relishes genuine good ground. With all of that in mind we will take a chance on him. Boz sees out this trip and beyond and was running consistently well before he ran out of luck at Great Leighs last time. He may still be fairly treated and until today we won't know whether that is the case or the handicapper has caught up with him. Coyote Creek remains a maiden after 11 starts and trip and ground suit. He ran a good race in defeat last time and with first-time headgear to galvanise him he should not be far away. Ascalon tries this trip for the first time and pedigree suggests that he can improve for it. He showed last time that he is going the right way and a win would be no major shock. Trip and ground suit Red Wine but he is now fully exposed and we will take Nur Tau to score.
Duty Free (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Always prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Kahara (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Boz 13-8fav (9-6) Mid-division, effort and headway to chase leaders 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 18l behind Alleviate (8-9) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Ascalon 13-2 (9-1) Pressed leader, led narrowly inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, outpaced by winner final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Kavachi (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Nur Tau (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden when not much room over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders, 6th of 13, 6l behind Kavachi (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Bollin Felix 11-1 (9-5) Keen, close up, ridden 4f out, hung left and weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 9l behind Shine And Rise (9-4) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Red Wine 16-1 (8-8) In rear, ridden over 3f, never dangerous, last of 12, 25l behind Birkside (9-1) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Coyote Creek 9-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, challenging from 3f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not quite pace of front pair, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Mae Cigan (8-8) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Instructor 28-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 7l behind Veiled Applause (9-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Demolition 4-1jt-fav (9-1) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 14, 6l behind Summer Gold (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Princely Ted (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Jago (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
