behind, weakened over 2f out
led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, in touch, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, keen, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in touch on outer, no extra final furlong
steadied start, soon in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace
AL MUGTAREB may be able to retain this season's unbeaten record by getting the better of Lastroarofdtiger and Floor Show amongst others. Al Mugtareb didn't look entirely at ease around the tight turns of Catterick when winning his maiden at the start of the month but he does appeal as the type who should be able to progress. He showed a good attitude, appeared to win with something in hand and looks well enough handicapped on his runs behind some fair sorts at two. Lastroarofdtiger drops back in trip having dead-heated over an extended mile at Wolverhampton on his seasonal return; those to have come out of the race haven't done a great deal for the form but it could be unwise to hold that against him and he remains an interesting prospect. There have been signs that Ed McMahon's team are getting into gear and it will be interesting to see if there's any support for Floor Show on his first start since winning a maiden at Redcar in September. He did that in good style and appeals as the type to make a three year-old so is one to keep a close eye on in the market. Desire To Excel, Peter's Gift and Steel Stockholder have shown varying degrees of promise already this season and can't be discounted but we'll be electing Al Mugtareb to take the spoils.
Lastroarofdtiger (USA) 9-1 (9-3) Took keen hold early, held up, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, joined post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar deadheating with Keep Ringing (8-12), 5 ran.
Richo 13-2 (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Atabaas Allure (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
On Offer (IRE) 28-1 (8-7) In rear, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Crackdown (9-7) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Floor Show 4-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Sep beating Spinners End (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Al Mugtareb (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, driven to lead entering final furlong, kept on well, won at Catterick 6f mdn stks (5) gf beating Mister Tinktastic (8-13) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Regal Lyric (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Behind, never a factor, 13th of 15, 17l behind Harry Patch (9-0) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Dean Iarracht (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Outpaced, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 9, 11l behind Fesko (8-12) at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Peter's Gift (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Green Agenda (9-0) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Steel Stockholder 11-1 (9-0) Prominent, driven and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Paddy Bear (9-0) at Thirsk 6f mdn auc stks (5) gf.
Desire To Excel (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Made all, hung left on bend over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure, won at Musselburgh 7f mdn stks (5) gf beating Campli (9-6) by hd, 11 ran.
