in touch, ridden 2f out, chased leading pair approaching final furlong, driven, lost 3rd post
led, soon steadied pace, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed briefly inside final furlong, ran on
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, joined winner inside final furlong, led briefly, ran on
hampered start, in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
went left start, took keen hold in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, driven, stayed on to take 3rd post
pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
SEEK THE FAIR LAND is in rude form and is fancied to complete his hat-trick at the main expense of Autumn Blades and L'Hirondelle. Jim Boyle's runner is in the form of his life at present and should prove capable of defying the 6lb penalty that he received for his facile success over course and distance. The race was set up nicely for him as Avertis went off far too fast resulting in the race being run in a course record time but he should prove too strong regardless of how the race is run. Autumn Blades has been accused of lacking a cutting edge but he did get his head in front by the narrowest of margins last time and does run this track well. It will need a career best effort for him to score under a penalty although he should pick up a share of the spoils once again. L'Hirondelle is talented on his day but he does need everything to drop right and he can hang under pressure. He could pop up but the handicapper hasn't taken any chances and he's essentially opposable. The handicapper has also been slow to loosen his grip on Laurie Grove and it's difficult to look beyond Seek The Fair Land.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) In touch, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Desert Dreamer (8-10) by ns, 10 ran.
Laurie Grove (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened and eased final furlong, last of 8, 9l behind Just Bond (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
L'Hirondelle (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leader entering final 2f, driven and edged right from over 1f out, kept on one pace and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Falcativ (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Seek The Fair Land 11-8fav (8-10) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway travelling well on inside over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ran on strongly, ridden out final furlong easily, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Imprimis Tagula (9-5) by 4l, 11 ran.
Carnivore 14-1 (8-2) Held up mid-division, hampered over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Caprio (8-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Baunagain (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) In rear, ridden halfway, never a factor, 9th of 10, 5l behind Lesley's Choice (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Durgan 20-1 (9-1) Pushed along 3f out, always in rear, last of 10, 23l behind Cyflymder (9-6) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Toto Skyllachy 9-2 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 9, 8l behind Arteus (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
