restless in stalls, slowly into stride, behind, plugged on into never dangerous 4th inside final 2f
raced wide early, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten
raced wide early, chased winner, pushed along over 2f out, soon lost 2nd and weakened
held up in 5th, headway into 3rd 2f out, plugged on same pace, no chance with winner
made all, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, unchallenged
Basilicata never threatened the winner when second at Catterick last time but Lightening Shore drops in class having struggled at Newmarket on his handicap debut and is preferred to Lingfield runner-up Host and Farasi Lane. A couple of these go handicapping for the first time including Cotai Bear, who will be suited by the return to 7f, and FABRIZIO. The latter is fitted with headgear on the back of a second at Chelmsford and everything from his yard has to come into the reckoning at the moment.
Basilicata (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Dwelt start, driven and effort 2f out, headway inside final furlong, up for 2nd final strides, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Paws For Thought (9-3) at Catterick 7f (4) gd in Sep.
Fabrizio 3-1 (9-2) Chased winner, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon edged right and no impression, kept on, 2nd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Fundamental (9-2) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Cotai Bear (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind One Over Par (9-5) at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Lightening Shore 18-1 (8-9) Steadied start, soon tracking leaders on far rail, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced and behind, tailed off and eased final furlong, last of 5, 27 1/2l behind Lost In Space (9-6) at Newmarket 1m (2) gd in Sep.
Host (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, headway into second inside final furlong, kept on until headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Sir Maxi (9-5) at Lingfield 7f (5) pol in Oct.
Farasi Lane (IRE) 9-4fav (8-5) Held up just worse than midfield, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on at one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Conservatoire (8-8) at Goodwood 7f (4) hvy in Oct.