held up, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong
reared start, took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up last, headway over 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, edged left under pressure, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in 5th, headway to chase leaders and hung left from 2f out, not quicken final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 3f out, stayed on until headed well inside final furlong
tracked leader, reminders and lost 2nd 4f out, weakened 3f out, soon eased
led to over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up in 6th, headway to chase leaders 4f out, hard ridden and weakened under pressure 2f out
An open-looking handicap in which the vote goes to Watchful ahead of Sister Maria and Oh Glory Be. A winner on her debut, Luca Cumani's filly then ran a good race when only going down by a quarter of a length to Russian Invader at Windsor. She travelled well on that occasion but she didn't pick up immediately when asked. She still ran well in defeat, so whilst quicker ground may be ideal, connections are likely to be wiser today and give her more time to get into top gear and the stiff finish will suit. Sister Maria's form has been consistent all season however she didn't really impress when tried at this trip in the past and can be passed over accordingly. Tcherina has ability but doesn't always consent to run at her best away from York, whilst Apply Dapply is consistent but tends to find at least one too good. Oh Glory Be could be of some interest; Richard Hannon's filly has been contesting slightly better races of late and tries the visor for the first time this afternoon. If that works she rates a threat, however Watchful has plenty of improvement to come and she is taken to oblige.
Oh Glory Be (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Greek Envoy (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Apply Dapply 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Silca Key (8-6) at Newbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Postage Stampe 14-1 (9-6) Held up, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Free Offer (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 2f fll hcp (3) gf in Sept.
Watchful (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Soon tracked leading pair, hard driven to chase winner final furlong, stayed on but always held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Russian Invader (8-7) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Vale de Lobo 100-1 (9-2) Mid-division, effort to chase leaders 3f out, weakened 2f out, 15th of 16, 18l behind Short Skirt (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) sft in Oct.
Tcherina (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 8l behind Esthlos (9-7) at York 1m 4f app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Sister Maria (USA) 3-1 (8-7) Led, headed well over 2f out, rallied under pressure to lead closing stages, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (6) gd in Oct beating Royal Fantasy (8-8) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Shimoni 28-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 6f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Hibiki (8-5) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
