led, not fluent 2nd, headed 5th, soon driven, weakened well before 3 out, pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, challenged 3 out, hit 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, took 2nd near finish
not fluent, took keen hold towards rear, well beaten after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, not fluent 1st, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, led 5th, ridden after 2 out, mistake last, drifted left and headed flat, no extra, lost 2nd near finish
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway after 6th, weakened last
held up in rear, short lived effort approaching 3 out, well behind when blundered badly last, tailed off
held up, took keen hold, mistakes 1st and 3rd, short lived effort approaching 3 out
mid-division, weakened after 4th, losing touch when tried to refuse and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, hit 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden to lead flat, ran on
took keen hold, soon prominent, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
The majority of these have something to prove and the market may prove to be interesting as a result but PACIFIC BAY did enough at Sedgefield to earn the vote ahead of Takelli. That pair set the standard on form but Takelli has to concede weight all round whilst he also has to put a modest run behind him and connections have swopped cheekpieces for a visor. Pacific Bay was ultimately well held in a similar contest at Sedgefield but she struggled to get home on that more demanding track having raced keenly. This easier circuit should suit whilst she may settle better now that she has got a run under her belt. David Evans saddled last year's winner and he's represented by four runners this time around; the market may prove to be the best way of deciphering the pecking order. Mr Melodious needs to improve for blinkers if he's going to call the tune and Rio Gael for the application of cheekpieces whilst there are also the newcomers to consider. It's difficult to be dogmatic about her chances but Pacific Bay appears to hold fair claims.
Takelli (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 45l behind Manjam (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Hassadin 28-1 (7-13) Held up in last trio, moderate headway when hung left over 1f out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Sounds Of Jupiter (9-2) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Aug (flat).
Hector Spectre (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, mistakes 2 out and last, 10th of 12, well behind Corredor Sun (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Midnight Bay 100-1 (10-11) Led to 4 out, soon lost place and behind, pulled up before next, in a race won by Kind Heart (10-7) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Mr Melodious 16-1 (10-5) Ridden approaching 4th, always in rear, 7th of 12, well behind Corredor Sun (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Rio Gael (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 25l behind Riptide (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Blakeneys Pet (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, jumped right 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Veiled (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gf.
Bounty Reef 66-1 (10-8) Keen early, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Veiled (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gf, 13 ran.
Chateauneuf (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, pushed along over 6f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 26l behind Sircozy (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Pacific Bay (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Held up, headway and in touch 3rd, chased leading pair after 3 out, ridden next, no impression when not fluent last, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Hector's House (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft.
Tesserae 22-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Ghufa (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol (flat).
Turn To Dreams 28-1 (10-5) Mid-division, jumped left 2nd, not fluent and reminders 4th, no chance 5th, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Veiled (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gf.