rider removed hood late dwelt, close up, ridden when weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden 3f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on to go 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden when weakened over 1f out
led, joined 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on same pace
took keen hold held up, ridden when weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, joined leader 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed towards finish
in rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace and lost 3rd towards finish
keen early close up, chased leader over 1f out, edged left and ran on to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
Kalk Bay went close back on soft ground at Doncaster last week but Handheld would prefer a faster surface having won over 1m2f at Nottingham recently. Greyfriarschorista can race off a lower mark despite winning on the Fibresand at Southwell last time, but that because he's yet to win in 26 starts on Turf. MODERNSTONE returned from a year's absence with victory in a soft ground maiden at Windsor and Bill Knight's filly is worth sticking with as she looks to make up for lost time. Ishikawa could prove best of the remainder.
Kalk Bay (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Hefner (9-8) at Doncaster 1m app hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Modernstone 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well to lead close home, won at Windsor 1m mdn stks (5) sft in Oct beating Musaddas (9-5) by 1l, 12 ran.
Ocean Applause 25-1 (8-8) In rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 11, 4l behind Soaring Spirits (9-0) at Doncaster 7f (4) sft in Oct.
Gabrial's Wawa 11-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden to join leader 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Broughton (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Excellent Jem 5-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, soon with leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Fat Gary (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Handheld 9-1 (9-1) Made most, ridden and hung right over 1f out, ridden out, won at Nottingham 1m 2f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct beating Mcbirney (8-13) by 2l, 15 ran.
Greyfriarschorista 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, clear when ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct beating Winged Icarus (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Falcon's Reign (FR) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, no extra final 50 yards, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Never Forever (9-5) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Ishikawa (IRE) 9-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 4th of 10, 6l behind First Post (9-1) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Sep.