tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, tracked leaders 5f out, went 3rd and travelling best 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
slowly into stride, in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on near finish
led, ran wide into straight 2f out soon headed, ridden and rallied to lead again post
towards rear, effort on inside over 1f out, one pace final furlong
with winner, led over 1f out, ridden and headed post
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
raced wide, held up, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, stayed on near finish
A tricky finale in which the vote goes to recent winner USQUAEBACH ahead of Kenswick, Buona Sarah and Sheila's Bond. Pat Phelan's filly was a shock 100/1 winner on her reappearance here, scoring over ten furlongs. There didn't seem to be much fluke about that as she was always likely to improve when stepped up in trip and despite the drop to a mile she should run well under just a 4lb rise in the weights. Buona Sarah needs a market check on her first run for Jim Boyle and her Irish form suggests she may be well-treated on a mark of 60, Kenswick let down favourite backers in selling grade last time but should not be discounted, whilst Bandear may appreciate this different surface to Southwell last time. Sunrise Lyric is consistent and will pick up a race, Bailey's Vision looks well-handicapped on this first start for Chris Dwyer, whilst Coxwain needs a market check as he is likely to improve now going handicapping. Blinkers are tried on Liebelei, Take My Hand steps back up in trip, whilst Sheila's Bond sprang a surprise at Wolverhampton last time out but hasn't been harshly treated by the handicapper and a mark of 56 looks competitive. Not an easy puzzle to solve, but preference is for Usquaebach.
Bandear (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Bumped start, soon pushed along in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 15l behind Kummel Excess (8-12) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Sunrise Lyric (IRE) 5-2fav (8-6) Held up in touch, not clear run over 2f out, nipped through on inside to lead over 1f out, soon hung right, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Tuscan King (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo clm stks (5) pol.
Baileys Vision 13-2 (8-12) Pushed along towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 11l behind Revelator (9-3) at Catterick 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) sft in Oct.
Buona Sarah (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, 13th approaching straight, progress on wide outside 2f out, moderate 6th over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 14, 9l behind Knights Templar (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn auc stks pol in Nov.
Usquaebach 100-1 (8-11) Raced in last place, switched wide 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden and ran on to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Captain Cool (8-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Kenswick 15-8fav (8-5) Held up behind leading trio, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to press for 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Avow (8-13) at Lingfield 6f 3yo sell stks (6) pol.
Coxwain (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Pushed along in mid-division, never a threat, 7th of 11, 13l behind Don't Call Me (8-11) at Southwell 7f mdn auc stks (5) fbs.
Sultan's Choice 16-1 (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 15l behind Azlak (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Sheila's Bond 25-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, driven final furlong, led final strides, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn fll (5) pol beating Tomintoul Star (9-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Take My Hand 13-2 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 6th of 15, 7l behind North Shadow (8-9) at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Liebelei (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 24l behind Database (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Tregony Bridge 100-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 20l behind Totally Ours (8-2) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct.
