tracked leader until 10f out, remained close up, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, driven and stayed on to take 3rd towards finish
took keen hold in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
dwelt, held up in touch, pushed along over 4f out, reminders 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, ran wide into straight entering final 2f, driven and headed inside final furlong, no extra
keen, held up in touch, effort when switched left over 1f out, soon every chance, ridden and kept on same pace
tracked leader 10f out, reminders over 3f out, ridden when carried right entering final 2f, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon headed, no chance with winner
patiently ridden in rear, always going well, wide into straight 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ridden and ran on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, comfortable
ASK THE ORACLE is a half-brother to Parnassian and is expected to improve further for this longer trip; the list of dangers includes Red Hot Desert and Sircozy. Hugh Morrison's gelding improved on his handicap debut last month when racing over ten furlongs at Kempton. He stayed on well there so should have no issue with this longer trip, and he looks handicapped to win races. Farncombe is a course winner but she has stamina to prove and also well-being after a lifeless run at Kempton, so a bigger threat may be course and distance winner Red Hot Desert. He won tidily here last time out and George Baker retains the ride. December needs to improve markedly for the longer trip and going handicapping, although Seb Sanders looks an intriguing jockey booking, whilst Wood Fairy is nicely-bred but she has gone backwards since her debut win at Thirsk. Sircozy didn't have the most appealing profile before winning a weak race at Wolverhampton, however he has no problem with this longer trip and it would be no surprise were he to improve having got his head in front. The tentative vote here is given to Ask The Oracle.
Red Hot Desert 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, quicken to lead 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Starburst (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Quinsman 3-1 (9-3) Close up on outside, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, held on final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct beating Chanrossa (8-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Farncombe (IRE) 11-4 (9-4) Led after 1f, headed 2f out, soon ridden, chased leader until over 1f out, faded, 5th of 7, 12l behind Why Nee Amy (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f app clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Nov.
Ask The Oracle 9-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden and kept on under pressure final 2f, never on terms, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Thunderstruck (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
December 50-1 (9-3) Held up, headway to go 4th over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, went moderate 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Royaaty (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Wood Fairy 15-2 (8-5) Took keen hold, soon close up in 5th, tracked leader 2f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Best In Class (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Taste The Wine (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Rearing in stalls, chased winner to 11f out, stayed close up, ridden 4f out, pushed along on outside to challenge for second 2f out, no impression and lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 5, 3l behind Khayar (8-9) at Warwick 1m 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Sircozy (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway from over 1f out, stayed on to wear down leader final 50 yards, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Nov beating Bestowed (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
