The finale is a straight match-up between Stepping Up and Eisteddfod and the vote is given to the last mentioned. The selection is stepped-up in trip which will not be a problem and neither will the ground as he is proven on a soft surface. He was disappointing last time but he looks to have more in his favour than his chief market rival. Stepping Up was disappointing last time, albeit in a much better race than this, but he gave the impression that he would be suited by a step-up in trip and with doubts about whether he will handle the ground he is taken on. Makfly looks the better of the other two runners but he will probably need to fly to make his mark in this contest and we are happy to return to Eisteddfod who gets our vote.
Eisteddfod 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 13th of 14, 14l behind Bygone Days (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Makfly 33-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden, headway over 2f out, one pace, no impression, 4th of 13, 9l behind Compromiznotension (8-6) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (4) gs.
Stepping Up (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and outpaced 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never near leaders, 4th of 11, 5l behind New Seeker (9-0) at Redcar 7f lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Boppys Dream 25-1 (8-13) Held up, not much room over 3f out, some late headway, never a danger, 5th of 12, 13l behind La Colline (8-12) at Warwick 6f mdn stk (5) sft.
