always prominent, led on bit over 2 out, driven clear over 1f out, eased near finish
behind, pushed along over 5f out, effort over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon one pace
tracked leader, under pressure 2f out, soon one pace
led, headed over 2f out, flashed tail and weakened quickly over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3f out, soon weakened
A much better race this, and with the cold weather on its way it could be aptly-named. Preference is for PRECISION BREAK ahead of the hat-trick seeking Graylyn Ruby. The selection was well-held recently at Southwell. That surface doesn't always suit and so connections have decided to return to a more conventional surface. Stepping back up in trip today, he probably has little in hand on the handicapper but he can lead this small field home. His main rival could be Graylyn Ruby whose recent wins have come over a mile and a half. Jonathon Jay's colt has a 7lb higher mark to contend with today but he has looked very progressive and cannot be dismissed lightly. Plaisterer brings some solid form to the table and was well-fancied last time out at Windsor when going down narrowly to Black Rain. Mista Rossa is consistent, whilst Spider Silk hasn't quite gone on as expected since winning at Windsor. Defeats since have seen the horse stepped up further in trip today. Bushy Dell is fairly useful on the all-weather and completes the field; however it is Precision Break who gets the vote.
Precision Break (USA) 11-1 (8-12) Led early, trackedc leader, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Merchant of Dubai (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) fbs in Sept.
Spider Silk 12-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 4f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Fair Gale (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Bushy Dell (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, driven over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 14l behind Silk Hall (9-6) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Graylyn Ruby (FR) 11-2 (9-1) Close up, led 2f out, hung badly left final furlong, always in command, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Papradon (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Plaisterer 7-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 3f out, driven and headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, nk behind Black Rain (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Mista Rossa 7-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, hung right over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Graylyn Ruby (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
