chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, always behind and outpaced
with winner, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, gradually weakened inside final furlong
made all, edged left and ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, gradually weakened inside final furlong
behind, outpaced 3f out, never a threat
mid-division, reminders well over 3f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, took 4th post, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression with front trio inside final furlong, lost 4th post
raced keenly, with leaders on outside, effort to challenge over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, always just held, lost 2nd near finish
mid-division on outside, lost place over 2f out, soon behind
Tamerlane possibly wasn’t suited by the drop to 5f at Wolverhampton but would still need to improve on an earlier fourth at Chelmsford to land this. MERCHANT OF VENICE is speedily-bred being by Bated Breath out of an Oasis Dream mare that won over 6f on debut and has already produced a winning sprinter. James Fanshawe’s gelding can make a belated winning debut himself as those with experience in this look a modest bunch. Sunshine Coast has switched stables since a fourth at Newcastle but probably has more scope than First Link.
Altered Method (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Moqarrar (9-2) at Newcastle 7f stks (4) pol in Oct.
Merchant Of Venice Bated Breath gelding out of Isola Verde.
More Salutes (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) In rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 5th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Reconcile (9-2) at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Poeta Brasileiro (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Pushed along in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 1/4l behind Fink Hill (9-2) at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Storm Boy 50-1 (9-2) Outpaced and always towards rear, 9th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Always A Drama (8-11) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Sunshine Coast 5-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Reconcile (9-2) at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Tamerlane (IRE) 5-4fav (9-2) Chased leaders, driven halfway, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Motajaasid (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Dirayah (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Keen in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 6 3/4l behind Karijini (9-4) at Lingfield 6f stks (5) pol in Jan.
First Link (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Character Witness (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Maddi 25-1 (9-0) Slowly away, well in rear, never dangerous, last of 7, dist behind Equilateral (9-5) at Bath 5f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Minuty Acclamation filly out of Million Faces.
Suttonwood Sally 80-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along 6f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Alsa Mix (10-12) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Sep.