tracked leader, driven over 3f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, not clear run from well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms
always behind
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, edged left kept on same pace
held up, never dangerous
behind, under pressure over 7f out, soon beaten, eased well over 3f out
tracked leader, lost place over 4f out, eased 2f out
tracked leader, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
Nonrunner
Plenty of previous winning form in this stayers' handicap and the best of it looks to be from SILK HALL, who gets the vote ahead of Bushy Dell. The selection was dropped back to 1m 6f on the Polytrack last time at Wolverhampton and was the subject of a gamble, being backed from 5/1 in to 5/4 favourite. He duly dotted up by eight lengths, and a 6lb penalty here against some fully exposed sorts makes him an attractive proposition to follow up. Bushy Dell attempts to give weight and a beating to all her opponents here and has won two of her last three, both on this surface. She is related to staying winners and so should take this step up in trip in her stride and she may well emerge as the danger to the selection. Drum Major won a maiden here over slightly shorter last time but has been beaten off this mark in handicaps before now and so looks vulnerable. Eventide ran on well to score over this trip at Wolverhampton and has gone up 5lb, though David Probert's claim can help to negate that and she can get involved. Of the others, Highland Homestead chases a hat-trick but might struggle under a penalty, and both Lady Sorcerer and Kritzia look in need of a favour from the handicapper. Silk Hall is a confident choice.
Bushy Dell (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sept beating Into The Light (8-13) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ragamuffin Man (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Soon led, had good pace, steadied temple and headed 6f out, chased leader after, dropped to 3rd when not much room over 2f out, driven and no impression final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Red Merlin (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) g.
My Mate Max 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 8l behind Factotum (10-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Silk Hall (UAE) 5-4fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, not clear run over 3f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Into The Light (9-5) by 8l, 10 ran.
Drum Major (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 6f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, driven and all out, won at Great Leighs 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol beating Eureka Moment (8-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Eventide 4-1 (9-10) In touch, challenged well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon in command, won at W'hampton 1m 6f 3yo app hcp (6) pol beating The Last Bottle (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lady Sorcerer 20-1 (8-3) Led until headed after 3f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Tarkheena Prince (9-3) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (3) hvy in Sept.
Trenchant 13-8fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and carried head high 4f out, not run on, 5th of 6, 6l behind Neve Lieve (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Blue Citadel (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Led early, tracked leader, led 6f out, headed over 2f out, lost second over 1f out, rallied to regain 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Red Merlin (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Force Tradition (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, struggling final 3f, tailed off, 7th of 9, 50l behind Crusoe's Return (9-3) at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd.
Kritzia Evensfav (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 10l behind That Look (9-12) at Yarmouth 2m hcap (5) gd in Sept.
China Pink 7-2 (8-5) Led, headed over 3f out, hung right over 2f out, rallied final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Offshore Anna (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sept.
Highland Homestead 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 16, 2l behind Yes Eighteen (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Testimonial 14-1 (8-7) Slowly away, behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Golden Bishop (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gs in Aug.
