La Marmotte gets the narrow verdict here over Nicada and Spirited Speedfit. The selection ran well for a long way last time at Kempton when finishing fourth behind Retaliate. That was a decent effort but the key to her chance will be the ground as she is proven in these testing conditions. Nicada won well last time but the last time he raced on ground as soft as this he was disappointing and for that reason we will pass him over. Spirited Speedfit will go on the ground and he did run a fair race from out of the handicap at Catterick last time behind Celtic Spirit. He should be good enough to claim some place money while Merlins Quest ran well last time and is another to consider. However, for the winner we will stick with La Marmotte.
Anthea 8-1 (8-8) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Bateleur (9-1) at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Aggresive 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders to 2f out, ridden, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Apache Dream (8-12) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft.
Ask Yer Dad 20-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 10l behind Odin Dawn (9-3) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Mozayada (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed well over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 11, 10l behind Practicallyperfect (9-0) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Sept.
Musical Award (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Soon pushed along in rear, never a factor, 7th of 11, 12l behind Malyana (8-9) at Brighton 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) gs.
Nicada (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol beating Jord (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Satyricon 15-2 (8-12) Led to over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Worldly (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn aut (4) pol in Aug.
La Marmotte (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Raced on near side rail, led to 4f out, chased winner to over 2f out, weakened final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Retaliate (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo clm (6) sft in Sept.
Smash N'Grab (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakening when not much room entering final furlong, 11th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Tipsy Prince (9-4) at Catterick 6f 2yo hcp (6) gd.
Spirited Speedfit (IRE) 33-1 (7-9) Chased leader, soon driven along, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Celtic Step (8-13) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Montemayorprincess (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Chased leaders over 3f, 6th of 11, 6l behind Silca Soprano (8-7) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp (5) fbs in Jul.
Inimical 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 14l behind Navajo Squaw (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) sft.
Merlins Quest 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Tipsy Prince (9-4) at Catterick 6f 2yo hcp (6) gd.
Flying Grey (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Behind until moderate headway final furlong, 8th of 15, 7l behind Ask Don't Tell (8-1) at Brighton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Grazie Mille 20-1 (9-0) Raced stand's side, hampered start, always towards rear, 11th of 15, 9l behind Miss Ippolita (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) gd in Sept.
Torver 12-1 (9-2) Raced far side, held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Spinning Crystal (9-4) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
Readyforone 20-1 (8-12) Always behind and struggling final 3f, 12th of 14, 25l behind Emergency Services (8-12) at Windsor 1m 2yo sll (5) gs.
Sophie's Dream 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 15l behind Rainbow Fox (9-3) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Jul.
