dwelt, behind, effort on inside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, moderate headway final furlong
mid-division on inside, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division on outer, hampered and stumbled after 1f, stayed on down outside final furlong
chased leaders on outer, hung left on bend 3f out, continued to hang and weakened soon after
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly away, behind, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led going well 2f out, drew clear final furlong
slowly away, outpaced and always behind
led, headed approaching 2f out, weakened rapidly
behind, nudged along and kept on inside final furlong, never near leaders
soon tracking leader, led briefly 2f out, no chance with winner final furlong, clear 2nd
Marco Botti won this race last year and it might be worth taking a chance on his newcomer THAUMATOLOGY, who is taken to get the better of Charlie Smirke and Absinthe. It will be no surprise to see this go to a newcomer and the selection is a well-bred filly. She has a good draw and a dirt pedigree so she should handle the track, so if the market speaks in her favour then it could pay to take the hint. Charlie Smirke looks the best of those with racecourse experience and he only found Spring Of Fame too good at Lingfield last time. He looks to be going the right way and he has a decent draw so he should go well. Absinthe catches the eye on breeding and this colt is worth noting in the market, but the yard have only got a fair strike-rate with their juveniles this season. Confucius Captain wasn't disgraced in a a better race than this at Sandown last time and he still ran a bit green so there should be more to come.
Alternative Choice (USA) Grand Slam colt out of Northern Fleet.
Mister Standfast Haafhd gelding, half-brother to three winners.
Absinthe (IRE) King's Best colt out of Triple Try.
Charlie Smirke (USA) 17-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ran on inside final furlong but no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Spring of Fame (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Co Dependent (USA) 15-2 (9-2) Always behind and outpaced over 2f out, 14th of 18, 11l behind Measurement (8-12) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jun.
Confucius Captain (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden along well over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 7, 8l behind Wingwalker (9-4) at Sandown 7f nov stk (3) gd in Sept.
Ocean's Minstrel 50-1 (9-0) With winner, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Weald Park (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) frm in Jun.
Strathcal 16-1 (9-0) Slowly away, ran green and always towards rear, 6th of 9, 8l behind Blazing Buck (8-13) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Aug.
Tobond (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Started very slowly, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 11, 9l behind Captain Ramius (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Aug.
Timbaa (USA) Anabaa gelding out of Timber Ice.
Nala (USA) 28-1 (8-12) Went right start, behind, hung left over 2f out, 9th of 10, 22l behind Galpin Junior (9-3) at Folkestone 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Thaumatology (USA) Distorted Humor filly out of a mare who ran only once.
Farleigh Trans Island filly, half-sister to numerous winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Miss Jodarah (USA) 100-1 (9-0) Slowly away and always in rear, 13th of 14, 28l behind Latin Tinge (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (6) pol in Sept.