held up in touch, in rear, headway to chase leader 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, driven to lead narrowly final 50 yards
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
chased clear leader, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, pressed last, headed narrowly final 50 yards
held up, headway to 3rd 4 out, ridden and weakened next
led and soon clear, hit 3rd, weakened quickly and headed 4 out, soon pulled up
in touch, ridden after 5th, struggling and beaten next
RARE MALT gets the most tentative of verdicts. Now in the care of Milton Harris, the selection made a pleasing enough debut when fifth behind Pullyourfingerout at Market Rasen. She should have learnt plenty from that and her jockey is riding on the crest of a wave at present. The visored-first-time Gulf Punch will appreciate dropping out of Grade Two company(!) and his second to Palawi puts him firmly in the picture, whilst Joan D'Arc beat Doyenne Dream at Huntingdon but was then turned over in claiming grade last time. Newcomer Fantastic Sam only had four flat starts and is respected especially if the market offers any signs of encouragement. Lady Pacha's selling win at Wetherby should not be sniffed at, and along with Fine Lace (who bumped into Domtaline at Chepstow) she looks the best of the rest.
Joan D'Arc (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Always in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 14l behind Pobs Trophy (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 3yo clm hdl (5) gd.
Lady Pacha 11-1 (9-12) Chased leaders in 5th, headway approaching 3 out, edged left from 2 out, stayed on from last, led post, won at Wetherby 2m 3yo sll hdl (5) gs beating Venture Girl (10-5) by shd, 12 ran.
Doyenne Dream 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, went 3rd after 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, not reached leading pair, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Joan D'Arc (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m juv hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Fantastic Sam (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) In rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, 12l behind Lauberhorn (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun (flat).
Fine Lace (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, led, joined 4 out, headed next, pushed left 2 out, driven and no chance with winner soon after, 2nd of 9, 25l behind Domtaline (10-12) at Chepstow 2m juv hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Rare Malt (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division on inside, headway to chase winner after 3 out, lost place last, no extra flat, 5th of 13, 11l behind Pullyourfingerout (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f juv hdl (4) sft.
Gulf Punch 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, 11th of 15, well behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Mororless 66-1 (8-4) Always in rear, never a factor, 9th of 12, 19l behind Finch Flyer (8-10) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
