dwelt, held up towards rear, headway to chase leader of 1f out, soon edged right, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on
keen, led, ridden, headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on never nearer
keen, held up, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, hampered 1f out, soon ridden and one pace
keen, chased leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on
Nonrunner
A tricky nursery to call and we will just give the nod to MISTY GLADE, who is one of five last-time winners in the contest, while Riflessione might prove next best. The selection has now won over five, six and seven furlongs, and therefore possesses a nice mix of speed and some stamina. Brian Meehan's charge acts well on the Polytrack, the yard continues to go well, and there may well still be more to come from the filly, so we'll go with her. Riflessione was the decisive winner of a Kempton claimer last time and this looks his optimum trip. Admittedly this is a bit tougher, but he should be full of confidence and can't be ruled out. Saif Al Fahad ran on pretty well when just held in second here last time, on what was his handicap debut. He is up 2lb for that and has the widest draw but should be heavily involved. Sunniva Duke is perhaps pick of the Hannon pair here and a mark of 78 looks just about fair based on his last run, though Retro has been dropped 1lb for winning an ordinary maiden and doesn't have improvement written all over him. Rare Art represents a yard still going pretty well but this is tougher than the 5f maiden he won at Nottingham, but stablemate Rocket Rob might show up better back over this trip with his claimer up. Joe Caster just looks to be in the grip of the handicapper and we'll suggest Misty Glade here.
Joe Caster 13-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, improving when short of room, lost ground over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 4l behind Whatyouwoodwishfor (8-9) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo hcp (3) pol.
Misty Glade 7-1 (9-6) Raced keenly in mid-division, good headway over 1f out, led 1f out, asserted inside final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Final Rhapsody (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Riflessione 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders and going well, good headway 2f out, soon switched inside, led over 1f out, in command final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f 2yo clm (6) pol in Oct beating Hosanna (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sunniva Duke (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Led over 4f out, made remainder, pressed approaching final furlong, ran on gamely, driven out, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol beating Albaseet (9-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Retro (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (9-3) Steadied start, soon in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Oct beating Whisky Jack (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Saif Al Fahad (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden, switched right approaching final furlong, ran on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 9, nk behind Whatyouwoodwishfor (8-9) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo hcp (3) pol.
Rocket Rob (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Keen, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, driven and headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Lovely Thought (8-8) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Rare Art 7-2 (9-3) Led far side group, ridden and overall leader over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) hvy beating Silent Wonder (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
