took keen hold, tracked leading pair, led 3 out, clear 2 out, heavily eased run-in, very easily
not fluent, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leading pair soon after, driven and outpaced by front pair from 2 out
held up in 5th, headway to chase winner from 3 out, no impression 2 out, edged left before last
disputed lead, slight advantage 4 out, blundered badly and headed 3 out, weakened before next, not recover
made most to 4 out, chased leader to 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
DIAMOND HARRY has looked a class act in everything that he's done to date on the racecourse and he can land his first Grade 1 contest here. Junior has to be rated the danger whilst Massasoit makes more appeal than Hell's Bay. Nick Williams has a potential top-notcher on his hands here and he has handled his charge with great skill and patience. His two bumper wins came in the same valuable race at this venue a year apart and he has retained his unbeaten record in two outings this season. The first came in a fair contest at Uttoxeter but the second, where he was even more impressive, earnt him a Grade 2 success at Cheltenham where Hell's Bay was amongst the also rans. Junior had run a series of decent races in defeat prior to landing the Tolworth at the start of the month which was not a bad race in which to lose one's maiden tag. He seems certain to be on the premises again. Massasoit won two bumpers for Malcolm Jefferson prior to joining his current yard in the spring. He failed to land a blow on debut but had an excuse for that run and was very impressive when slamming a decent field at Aintree. He has to be respected and this prize should go to the West Country but the Ditcheat team may have to play second fiddle to Nick Williams' Diamond Harry.
Diamond Harry 13-8fav (11-4) Raced keenly, held up in 3rd, not fluent 6th, led approaching 2 out, went left last, soon shaken up and asserted, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Door Boy (11-4) by 7l, 8 ran.
Duke of Miskin 5-1 (10-11) In touch, took closer order 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hdl (3) hvy beating Inchidaly Rock (11-5) by 3l, 9 ran.
Hell's Bay (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Held up towards rear, closed after 3 out, chasing leaders when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 22l behind Diamond Harry (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Junior 11-2 (11-0) Held up in rear but well in touch, hit 6th, headway to chase leaders 2 out, led and hit last, driven out, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs beating On Raglan Road (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Massasoit (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, pushed clear after last, won at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct beating On Raglan Road (11-4) by 8l, 16 ran.
Talenti (IRE) 18-1 (10-7) Raced wide in mid-division, headway under strong pressure approaching 2 out, kept on to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 19, 3l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
