raced in 4th, ridden to chased leading pair 3f out, driven and ran on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon beaten
dwelt, raced in 3rd, led going well over 2f out, headed 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leader to 4f out, ridden 3f out and soon weakened
held up last, good headway to lead 2f out, in command when hung left over 1f out, ridden clear
This is total minefield! And the selection of Polyquest is made in the hope that she can banish the memory of whatever was troubling her last time out. Blue Space and Formidable Guest rate as the biggest dangers, although nothing can confidently be ruled out, as the worth of the form already in the book is so poor. Formidable Guest still has to race from 2lb out of the weights in spite of winning her maiden at Lingfield two weeks ago. That was her best effort so far and, as it would be very harsh to say the filly is not open to improvement at this trip, she has to be respected. Blue Space showed ability when winning a handicap on her penultimate start but, like the selection, ran inexplicably badly last time up. However, it may simply have been a case that she resented being held up at the rear of the field, so it will be interesting to see how she is ridden tonight. However, the likely odds may be too tempting to miss out on Polyquest, who had been progressing nicely until her flop at Wolverhampton at the start of this month. The return to this course is in her favour and we anticipate Polyquest will be capable of bouncing back in this company.
Polyquest (IRE) 5-4fav (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, no response, eased well over 1f out, last of 7, 35l behind Vallemeldee (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Me Fein 6-5fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 15, well behind Compton Dragon (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Formidable Guest 13-2 (8-6) In touch, ridden along over 2f out, driven to challenge, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Moonlight Fantasy (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Lap of The Gods 25-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and edged right 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 11l behind Ful of Grace (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gs in Oct.
Altos Reales 33-1 (8-9) Behind, reminders over 5f out, came wide entering straight, progress over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 8l behind Private Soldier (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Sept.
Blue Space 6-5fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, keen hold early, pushed along well over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 10, 7l behind Hermanita (8-9) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Sept.
Alonso de Guzman (IRE) 7-4fav (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) std beating Raquel White (8-9) by a nk, 10 ran.
