slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead post
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, led 8f out, headed over 1f out, faded
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon challenged, headed post
dwelt, behind, under pressure over 4f out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon weakened
led 2f, remained prominent, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Gertrude Versed is likely to appreciate the longer trip having finished third over a mile here on her latest start. Too Difficult also showed promise when runner-up on her debut at Yarmouth over the same distance and Little Buxted is another going the right way and wasn't beaten far when fifth at Kempton last month. Mark Johnston runs the modest Upper Echelon in this but usually campaigns a strong team of well-bred newcomers for the winter all-weather season and ARYAL fits the bill. The Singspiel colt cost 150,000gns, is related to four winners and may well be good enough on his debut.
Aryal Singspiel colt out of Majoune.
El Massivo (IRE) Authorized colt out of Umthoulah.
Little Buxted (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Outpaced towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Ajman Bridge (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Thought And Memory (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, outpaced in last pair, never a factor, 10th of 11, 9l behind Ningara (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
True Spirit 16-1 (9-3) Raced wide in touch, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 14l behind New Pearl (9-3) at Newmarket 5f 2yo mdn (4) gs in May.
Gertrude Versed 5-2 (9-0) Disputed lead until led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Ice Pie (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Dec.
Kia Royale Tobougg filly out of Hilarious.
Too Difficult (IRE) 11-4 (8-8) Slowly away, keen headway to track leaders over 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Mandy's Boy (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) hvy in Oct.
Upper Echelon 6-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, outpaced, last of 12, 24l behind Ajman Bridge (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
