soon led, headed over 2f out, chased winner until entering final furlong, no extra
held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
soon tracking leader, ridden 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders on inside, driven 3f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden and ran on to chase winner entering final furlong, no impression
Cesc is out to get recent losses back, and can do so at the expense of Tom Paris, Oakley Heffert and Golan Way in a competitive-looking nursery. Cesc caused a bit of a surprise when landing a similar event at Newbury in August, but has been unlucky to follow up since being switched to the all-weather. Just touched off at Wolverhampton after being denied a clear run a furlong out, Pater Makin's charge was never going to make amends on his first visit here last month, when he was trapped inside with no hope of seeing daylight until it was too late. Now, he is drawn in stall one here, but the hope is that as they swing off the final bend a furlong-and-a-half out, Eddie Ahern will be able to flash home on the far rail, with this trip very much in the colt's favour. There are plenty of dangers, including Tom Paris and Oakley Heffert, both winners last time out, while Golan Way seems to be on the upgrade at last. Our Herbie has already won here this term, so has to be respected as well, but if Cesc does not get too detached early on, he should prove up to the task.
Cesc 5-2fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, badly hampered 2f out, kept on final furlong, not recover, 7th of 12, 7l behind Strobilus (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Oakley Heffert (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) In touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct beating Italian Stallion (8-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Tom Paris 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct beating Beech Games (9-7) by a shd, 13 ran.
Our Herbie 6-1 (9-7) Held up, headway on inside 3f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1/2l behind Abbotts Ann (9-4) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Golan Way 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway 4f out, chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ask Don't Tell (8-1) at Brighton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Behind, effort halfway, headway over 2f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 18, 8l behind Algol (9-3) at York 6f 2yo hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Bajan Pride 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Sunshine Kid (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.