towards rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, headway over 6f out to track leaders, ridden over 4f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
led, headed 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway and went prominent halfway, soon led, ridden over 3f out, headed inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on well inside final furlong
held up, smooth headway to track leaders 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
Sharp Reply is the pick over the likes of Bukit Tinggi, Estate and Nero West. Sharp Reply is better known for his jumping exploits really, three of his four career successes coming over timber. His latest victory came in that sphere at Perth in April, and since then Sue Bradburne's charge has had two spins round here, one on the Flat and more recently back over hurdles, running quite well on each occasion. Back on the level again, he lines up that bit fitter, and will hopefully use his stamina to good effect today. Bukit Tinggi is impeccably-bred, but connections have not been very patient, stepping him up in trip yet again here. He looks reasonably weighted and should give a good account providing he stays the two miles. Estate has already proved his worth for Eoghan O'Neill and it will be interesting to see whether his current trainer sends him jumping this winter, as he looks well handicapped under that code at least. Nero West stays every yard of this trip, but is better with more cut in the ground, while Trance has taken on good opponents in the past, but has to defy topweight. Sharp Reply is the pick in the final and longest race on the card.
Trance (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, 18th of 19, 23l behind Whenever (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Sharp Reply (USA) 7-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well to chase winner towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Toparudi (9-13) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (4) gs in Sept.
Estate 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Whenever (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Trew Style 12-1 (8-13) Held up and keen, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Dzesmin (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f hcap (3) gd in Sept.
Nero West (FR) 11-2 (8-11) Led, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind St Savarin (9-13) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Los Nadis (GER) 16-1 (8-11) Behind, headway 5f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind St Savarin (9-13) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Bukit Tinggi (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway when not much room over 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Double Banded (8-10) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Danzatrice 9-1 (9-0) Behind, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 9l behind Double Banded (8-10) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Jafaru 10-3 (9-7) Led after 2f, headed over 7f out, soon reluctant and dropped to last and pulled up in race won by Beau Michael (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul, 9 ran.