in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra near finish
held up in rear, headway on bit entering final 2f, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, no answer to late challenge
towards rear, improved to mid-division 6f out, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, short of room and lost 2 places and dropped to rear 2f out, soon ridden, no impression until stayed on well inside final furlong
held up in last place, plenty to do entering final 2f, switched right, ridden, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, won going away
tracked leader, nowhere to go 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 4th towards finish
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
LILAC MOON looked like a real eye-catching improver at the end of the summer and if that upward curve can be maintained Nick Vaughan¿s filly should take this but will have to fend off challenges from General Feeling and Old Romney. There's winning form a plenty in this contest but the performances of the selection to win three handicaps on the bounce, two in better company, looks the strongest. She returns after 214 days off and as long as she's fully race ready the six pounds higher rating shouldn't be an issue. General Feeling has a good strike rate here including back to back wins here over a mile on his last two starts. He looks to be up against it with his seven pound mark rise and although it is a worry he has never won over this far he has suggested he gets it. The assessor hasn't done Old Romney any favours raising him 14lbs since he won three starts back. He's coped ok with the increasing burdens so far but he looks up against it. Vinces beat Old Romney to take one of these over course and distance last time and re-opposes on just one pound worse terms so that form could be stood up. Hucking Hero might be one to consider for each-way backers if the price is right, racing off a mark two pounds lighter than his last victory but to win the contest we give our confidence to Lilac Moon.
Kindlelight Blue (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Always behind on far side, 17th of 19, 42l behind Oat Cuisine (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Old Romney 3-1 (9-4) Broke well, mid-division, headway approaching 2f out, switched right over 1f out, every chance when chased winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Vinces (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Soon led, headed narrowly over 2f out, kept on, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Tous Les Deux (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
General Feeling (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Always close up, led entering final 2f, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan beating Sir Ike (9-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Trifti 9-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division on inside, effort approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Can Can Star (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Hucking Hero (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up behind, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 10, 5l behind L'Hirondelle (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Lilac Moon (GER) 4-1 (9-8) Raced alone, made all under stand side rail, driven over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Mac Don (9-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Vinces 16-1 (8-7) Soon led, headed over 7f out, chased leader until over 3f out, ridden to lead again 1f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Old Romney (9-4) by 1l, 11 ran.
Sri Kuantan (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance over 1f out, not much room and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Bridgewater Boys (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3f clm (6) fbs.
