dwelt, always in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
tracked leading pair, effort over 1f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, in command when idled and hung left towards finish
close up, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outer to challange leaders over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
keen, held up towards rear, switched left over 1f out, headway soon after, driven, stayed on and edged right towards finish
RECALCITRANT has been anything but, and can complete a hat-trick here, although dangers abound in the shape of Florentia and Nassar. Simon Dow's gelding has won three of his last four races, being runner up in the other which was at a higher grade. He's a model of consistency at this level though, and may still be a step ahead of the handicapper. There are no doubts about the trip or the going, and he ticks all the boxes. Florentia has never raced beyond a mile, so there may be a question mark about whether she'll get the trip. She won last time out when stepped up to a mile, and any Sir Mark Prescott horse commands respect. Nassar was third behind Recalcitrant last time out, and although he's got ability, it's six months now since his last win, both of which have come on the Polytrack. Sixties Swinger was second to an odds-on shot in a claimer last week, having previously won a similar contest in the stewards' room. First time blinkers and tongue strap are fitted today as connections hope for a similar kind of performance in handicap company. We could look all day at all the runners, but we'd still find ourselves returning to Recalcitrant.
Nassar (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway towards inside over 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong and finished well, just held, 3rd of 11, hd behind Recalcitrant (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Aug.
Recalcitrant 9-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, held on gamely, won at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep beating Coolnaharan (8-8) by hd, 16 ran.
Florentia 7-2fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Bath 1m 3yo app hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Sep beating Jewelled (9-4) by shd, 9 ran.
Dancer's Legacy 8-1 (9-5) Led early, tracked leading pair, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind New World Order (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Rosy Dawn 14-1 (9-2) Chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 17l behind Inch Lodge (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Inquisitress 20-1 (8-6) Chased leaders on outer, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 10, 9l behind Miss Mojito (8-12) at Salisbury 1m all hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.
Oronsay 22-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, under pressure 2f out, gradually weakened, 5th of 6, 9l behind Caster Sugar (9-9) at Brighton 1m 2f fll hcp (5) fm in Sep.
Sixties Swinger (USA) 11-2 (9-0) Led to 7f out, chased winner to 4f out, went 2nd again 2f out, reluctant and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Bagber (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f clm stks (5) gf in Sep.
Flying Squad (UAE) 40-1 (8-10) Always well in rear, last of 11, 18l behind Jawaab (9-8) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Great Bounder (CAN) 11-1 (9-0) Soon led, hung left to paddock exit after 2f, headed 4f out, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 17l behind Sitwell (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
