made all, dictated pace, came clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
slow into stride, soon in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression approaching final 1f
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon behind
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
prominent, chased winner 2f out, until one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, pushed along over 3f out, switched right 2f out, ridden and veered right over 1f out, veered badly left inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, pushed along and no response over 2f out
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling
A fairly tight knit handicap with just 4lb between top and bottom but for the winner, we side with IMPLICATION though Great Art and Swift Chap are worthy of inclusion on any short list. On breeding, Ed Dunlop's filly hardly screams out as a fast ground performer but she has shaped with plenty of ability on the surface as a juvenile and if she is able to overcome a bad experience at Kempton, her profile is progressive enough to make it all count. Great Art won an egg and spoon race at Catterick but had performed with credit in two fair maidens previously. Illusive Spirit won his maiden on heavy going having largely campaigned on a faster surface. Reaction makes an overdue return to the track having last been seen out in October when taking a Goodwood nursery. Day Of The Eagle makes his debut in handicaps and as with any Luca Cumani runner at this level, he is afforded plenty of respect. Diktat Queen landed a gamble in a Chepstow fillies event and the handicapper appears to have taken few chances. Implication is the recommendation.
Swift Chap 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly under pressure, won at Goodwood 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Play It Sam (9-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Diktat Queen 10-1 (9-0) Prominent, chased leaders over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Chepstow 7f 3yo mdn fll stks (5) gd in Sep beating Bended Knee (9-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Implication 6-4fav (8-8) Held up in touch, effort when badly hampered entering final 1f, pushed along and kept on after, not recover, 6th of 13, 3l behind Hurricane Spirit (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Perfect Friend 25-1 (9-6) Always in rear, 8th of 10, 8l behind Perfect Silence (9-7) at Kempton 7f fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Sep.
Great Art (IRE) 2-5fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, lead towards finish, won at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Sep beating Steel Stockholder (8-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Yellow Printer 9-2 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Glowing Praise (9-7) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Silent Oasis 6-4fav (9-6) Soon with leader, led over 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, racing awkwardly over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 4, 26l behind Island Sunset (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Reaction 16-1 (8-9) In touch, headway on outside and hung right over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, driven ahead final stride, won at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct '08 beating Calahonda (9-1) by ns, 12 ran.
Day Of The Eagle (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Dwelt, soon pushed along and in touch, switch towards inside and driven to challenge inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Tahkeem (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Sep.
Dialect 8-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Turning Top (9-11) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Piccolo Mondo 25-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, soon chased winner, joined winner inside final furlong, driven out and just held, 2nd of 8, shd behind Diapason (8-9) at Leicester 7f mdn stks 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Illusive Spirit (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Nottingham 1m mdn auc stks (6) hvy in Jul beating Lilly Royal (8-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
