dwelt, in rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, led over 1f out, soon clear, easily
led to halfway, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Already a useful sprinter, MECCA'S ANGEL showed further progress when scoring by over four lengths at Thirsk on her comeback. Michael Dods' filly has leading claims on these terms as there should be more to come. Eccleston also made a winning return at Sandown and may well improve past the likes of Viva Verglas and Sleeper King this year. The latter's best effort was a decent fourth in the Molecomb at Goodwood in July. Oriental Relation and Sandra's Diamond look up against it in this company and are harder to fancy.
Viva Verglas (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Made all, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct beating Captain Midnight (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Eccleston 7-2fav (9-3) Held up in touch, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left to challenge, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Apr beating Hay Chewed (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Meadway 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, driven and effort when not clear run over 1f out, switched right and kept on inside final furlong, took 3rd post, not reach front pair, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Lorimer's Lot (8-8) at Ripon 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Oriental Relation (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Headway on outer to track leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 18l behind Ertijaal (9-5) at Lingfield 7f cond stks (2) pol in Apr.
Mecca's Angel (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, driven to lead over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr beating Blithe Spirit (8-12) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sandra's Diamond (IRE) 1-3fav (8-11) Led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Catterick 5f 2yo nov stk (5) sft in Oct beating Captain Joe (9-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
Sleeper King (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 6l behind Green Door (9-0) at Doncaster 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Sep.