raced freely in lead, headed over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up towards rear, smooth headway on bit, 2fout, chased leaders over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, driven ahead final strides
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leader to 2f out, weakened soon after
went left start, mid-division, pushed along halfway, edged left from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to troubled leaders
slowly away, outpaced in rear, ridden and struggling entering straight
awkward leaving stalls, took keen hold and held up in rear, edged left 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken
pulled hard early, soon chasing leaders on outer, wide straight, beaten over 2f out
badly hampered start, soon midfield, good headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, edged left, headed final strides
pulled hard in rear, some headway on inside over 1f out, no danger
An interesting novices' contest here with Summers Target, Missile Dodger and DESERT FALLS short-listed and the vote goes to the latter. There should not be too much to choose between the trio at these weights, with the selection giving 7lb to Summers Target, who has been knocking on the door and gone close to winning on all three outings so far. Brian Meehan's charge runs for the first time on the polytrack here and his mark looks fair enough, so he is given respect. However Desert Falls has already won a couple of recent races and runs over his optimum trip here. Richard Whitaker does not send too many runners to this circuit, so perhaps that is an indication of the trainer's intent for his colt to complete a hat-trick. Unlike Desert Falls, Missile Dodger has a poor draw, but Ralph Beckett's runner enjoys it here and was not disgraced in a Group 3 last time, so we pay him due deference here. Bajan Tryst has shown ability in defeat and there is no reason why he can't improve, though Raedah will need to be much quicker off the mark than when scuppering her chances from the gun last time. Desert Falls gets the vote.
Desert Falls 15-2 (9-5) Broke well, made all, challenged from well over 1f out, held on gamely under pressure, won at Great Leighs 6f 2yo clm (4) pol in Sept beating Gone Hunting (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tishtar 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders over 3f, 13th of 16, 16l behind Nasri (8-10) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Mister Green (FR) 16-1 (9-0) Held up, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders, 8th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Happy Forever (8-13) at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Missile Dodger (USA) 40-1 (9-0) Close up, effort 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out, 9th of 11, 6l behind Elnawin (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) pol in Sept.
Raedah (USA) 9-2fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 20l behind Caledonia Princess (8-0) at Leicester 6f 2yo fll hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Action That (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 5th over 2f out, soon no extra, 6th of 8, 17l behind Cairdiuil (8-8) at Sligo 6f 2yo clm gs in Aug.
Art Fund (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, 7th of 8, 6l behind Especially Special (8-12) at Great Leighs 5f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Sept.
Bajan Tryst (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Magaling (9-3) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Summers Target (USA) 4-5fav (9-3) Raced keenly, prominent, led 3f out, soon clear, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Nehaam (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Pat's Legacy (USA) Yankee Gentleman gelding out of Sugars for Nanny.
Castleburg 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and effort 2f out, no progress, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 12l behind Wave Aside (9-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept.
