led, ridden over 1f out, caught post
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead post
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
prominent, no impression over 1f out
held up in touch, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong
always towards rear
always towards rear
held up towards rear, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
GIANT SEQUOIA, Thunderstruck and Chantilly Pearl are the three for the shortlist and the vote goes to Giant Sequoia. Jane Chapple-Hyam's 5-year-old was denied in his hat-trick bid last time over 1m4f at this track. That race probably came a little bit too quickly for him and with this drop in trip not expected to cause him a problem we are happy to put him forward as our choice. Thunderstruck has won his last two races but only by the narrowest of margins. He is clearly in good form and he has won over the course and distance and he does at present appear to be on an upward curve. Chantilly Pearl ran her best race for a while earlier in the month when she chased home Insolence but there is a question mark over whether she will be at her best over this trip and she does look quite a quirky type. The Grey One has won four times on the all-weather but this is not his best trip either and we will nominate Giant Sequoia as the one to beat.
Thunderstruck 3-1fav (9-8) Made all, ridden well over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating New World Order (9-1) by nk, 12 ran.
Crazy Chris 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Finney Hill (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f fll mdn stks (5) gd in Oct.
Giant Sequoia (USA) 4-9fav (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Silent Act (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Vinces 4-1 (9-9) Dwelt, held up, wide into straight, 2f out, ridden and headway soon after, chased winner inside final furlong, one pace towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Resentful Angel (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol.
Alfie Tupper (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, headway on inside over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 10th of 15, 12l behind Jo'burg (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
The Grey One (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, switched right, headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Elusive Fame (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Illicit 20-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, last of 7, well behind Nakoma (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Hector Spectre (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led 8f out, ridden and over 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon edged right and no impression, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Farncombe (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo clm stks (6) pol.
Chantilly Pearl (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, not trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Insolence (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol.
Mutually Mine (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, squeezed through to go 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Insolence (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol.
Sonny Parkin 25-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 15l behind Ugenius (9-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Our Kes (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, not clear run and hampered over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, never near to challenge, 6th of 12, 8l behind Thunderstruck (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Inquisitress 15-2 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 6th of 12, 4l behind Wunder Strike (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
