held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, closed after 3rd, hampered 2 out, stayed on same pace, mistake last
took keen hold, chased leaders, not clear run and lost place after 3 out, hampered next, never back on terms
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, challenged 3 out, led and mistake 2 out, headed before last, held flat, kept on
steadied start, held up in rear, mistake when some headway 2 out, never near leaders
pulled hard, held up towards rear, blundered 1st, bumped next, well beaten 2 out
mid-division on outside, not fluent 2nd, no impression on leaders when fell 2 out
jumped left, led until 3rd, led 5th, headed 2 out, led before last, stayed on well
steadied start, took keen hold, always towards rear
held up in mid-division, headway when slightly hampered 2 out, 3rd before last, finished well
in touch in mid-division, not fluent 1st, swerved left and unseated rider next
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
chased leader, led 3rd until 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 4th, not fluent next, 4 lengths 3rd when bad mistake, nearly fell and unseated rider 2 out
It was a surprise that Limelighter was allowed to start at 20/1 against poor opposition at Plumpton but this looks a much tougher assignment under a penalty. Already successful at Market Rasen and Worcester, Maria Magdalena has stronger form and won for the first time on the Flat last month but she has a double penalty. Stuart Edmunds has introduced some useful mares in recent years and Goelette could be another as she was placed in a Grade 3 bumper in France in July, though her dam was a disappointment when sent jumping. PREFONTAINE was placed behind St Leger runner-up Sir Ron Priestley over 1m6f at Haydock in July. He’s transferred from Roger Varian to Jonjo O’Neill and should have a bright future under NH Rules if transferring Flat ability. Chocks Away, another French import, is worth a market check under Richard Johnson.
Limelighter 20-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 4 out, went 2nd after next, upsides 2 out, driven to lead between last 2, ridden out flat, won at Plumpton 2m (4) gf in Sep beating Brambledown (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Maria Magdalena (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up, pushed along and headway on outside over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp fll (5) gf in Sep beating Teemlucky (8-4) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Chocks Away (FR) (10-3) 7th of 12, 26 3/4l behind Irresistibles (10-7) at Compiegne 2m gd in Apr.
Highway To Success (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, driven and lost place before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Limelighter (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) gf in Sep.
Moonlit Sea 20-1 (9-7) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 27 1/4l behind Blame It On Sally (9-5) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Night Closure 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders when mistake 3 out, soon outpaced and ridden, no impression after, weakened last, 6th of 8, 26l behind Limelighter (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) gf in Sep.
Nordano (GER) 11-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, pressing winner when bumped close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Percy's Prince (8-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Novus Aditus (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led until before 2nd where not fluent, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Maria Magdalena (10-12) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Paseo 20-1 (8-12) In touch, effort on outside over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 36 1/2l behind Humanitarian (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f stks (5) gf in May.
Prefontaine (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Held up in last pair, headway and switched left 3f out, driven in 3rd over 1f out, kept on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Sir Ron Priestley (9-6) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Sephton 16-1 (8-13) Raced keenly towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Mukha Magic (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Sleepdancer (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden on outside over 4f out, soon weakened, eased and behind over 2f out, last of 10, dist behind Fragrant Belle (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Dandy Belle (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, behind and eased final furlong, last of 4, 18 1/2l behind Nervous Nerys (8-7) at Brighton 6f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Goelette (FR) (9-10) 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Gingermix (10-4) at Le Lion D'angers 1m 4f Grp 3 gs in Jul.
Magic Shuffle (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Gregorian Girl (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Sep.