pulled hard towards rear, headway 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace
started slowly, behind, ridden and looked beaten when lost action 2f out, never dangerous afterwards
tracked leader 3f, ridden to lead 2f out, clear 1f out, ran on strongly
took keen hold in touch, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened 1f out
led until headed 2f out, kept on, weakened inside final furlong
started very slowly, took keen hold in rear, headway to track leader after 3 furlongs, ridden and lost place 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, took keen hold in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reached leaders
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
behind, plugged on final 2f, never dangerous
tracked leader 3f, ridden 3f out, gradually weakened from over 2f out
Not a rip roaring mile-and-a-half contest here and we will take a chance on british debutante Welcome Cat to score from Fresh Mint, while Altos Reales should be on the premises. Welcome Cat has been brought over from France by Alan Brown, who clearly saw some potential in a colt that has shown some decent form over middle distance and staying trips in France this year. He ran well on the all weather at Deauville last time and freshened up by a change of scenery he can do the business first time over here. Fresh Mint is assured market support after a hard fought success here last time. That was also in claiming company and today's mark looks no more than fair, and we will just oppose. Altos Reales is more consistent than Fresh Mint and was not far away in a similar handicap here last week. The extra furlong may bring some improvement and she is respected. Always Sparkle looks best of the rest, but we will take a chance here with Welcome Cat.
Niqaab 22-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon lost place, 7th of 9, 11l behind Coral Creek (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol.
Welcome Cat (USA) (9-2) 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Apotropaic (9-1) at Deauville 1m 4f in Oct.
Fresh Mint (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Led 1f, stayed prominent, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ridden clear, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Watchmaker (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Always Sparkle (CAN) 14-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 10, 3l behind Alonso de Guzman (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Goochie (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, driven 4f out, weakening when hampered 2f out, soon eased, 10th of 12, 24l behind Bowl of Cherries (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Bothar Brugha (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) In rear, reminders 7f out, weakened 4f out, 6th of 8, 38l behind River Deuce (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Altos Reales 11-8fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Summer Bounty (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Sir Sandicliffe (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway 2f out, short of room on inner when hampered and checked over 1f out, not recover, 8th of 13, 14l behind Highest Esteem (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Silver Surprise 25-1 (8-0) Led and set steady pace, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on until weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 5l behind War of The Roses (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Bali Belony 66-1 (8-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, never nearer, 7th of 11, 12l behind Keycavern (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gf in Aug.
