tracked leaders, switched right 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear
always in rear
keen in mid-division, headway over 3f out, bumped soon after, chased winner over 1f out, caught for 2nd close home, hung left
tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, always towards the rear
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
always towards the rear
in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden over 3f out, ran on on inside from 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened 4f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, headway when not clear run and bumped 3f out, kept on one pace
led and keen, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
It will be surprising if Champagne Shadow is not good enough to score in this grade, although the likes of Good Article, Mujazef and Cool Isle will not make it easy for the Gary Moore-trained gelding. Cool Isle has made the frame on several occasions on the All Weather and is effective in this grade. She wasn't given a hard time when her chance had gone behind a 'good thing' of Sir Mark Prescott's last time and holds place claims once more. Mujazef has a similar profile and will appreciate this step up in trip. However, his turf form leaves a little to be desired and he is not one to go overboard with in the absence of a positive move in the betting ring. Good Article has bits and pieces of form that suggests he can go close. However, the trip is a concern and again, in the absence of a reliable betting guide, a late play is advised before taking any each-way odds available. Because this very much revolves around how well Champagne Shadow performs today. The son of Kahyasi has stacks in hand on BHB official rating and, even though he is in danger of becoming disappointing, it would be most surprising if he were to be overturned in this company.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 8-11fav (9-3) Held up, ridden 4f out, headway well over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lefonic (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 6f clm (6) pol.
Good Article (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led 1f, remained in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 15, 14l behind Celtique (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.
Mujazaf 25-1 (9-7) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 17l behind Perez (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Salinger (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, stayed on under strong pressure final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 12, 4l behind Million Percent (9-10) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Tennessee Belle (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden 4f out, soon struggling, 7th of 8, 21l behind String Serenade (8-13) at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) frm.
Tip Toes (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Always behind, 11th of 15, 14l behind Renegade (9-7) at Brighton 7f sll (6) gf.
Fitzsimons (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 13, 13l behind Ms Rainbow Runner (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn claim (7) pol in Dec.
Cool Isle 12-1 (8-6) Chased leaders until over 2f out, 5th of 12, 12l behind Gentian (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo sll (6) pol.