led 2f, tracked leader, led again over 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong
close up in rear, pushed along over 5f out, outpaced over 2f out,
raced wide and headway to lead after 2f, headed over 4f out, tracked leader until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Cartwright has won five of his last six starts on varying surfaces but he’s shot up the ratings over the last 12 months and he’s untried at this level. CAPE COVA was also progressive last season, winning three times including once over this trip. He was third in the November Handicap on his final start last year and will probably be elevated to pattern race company in the near future. Oriental Fox is stout stayer and may find this an insufficient test of stamina though, like Farquhar, is a previous course winner. Saigon City ran well over a trip too short at Doncaster last month so definitely enters the reckoning.
Oriental Fox (GER) 14-1 (9-3) Held up in last trio, headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Winning Story (8-9) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Cape Cova (IRE) 3-1fav (8-6) Held up, headway on outer over 4f out, tracked leaders, ridden to press winner over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Prize Money (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Nov.
Farquhar (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Fidaawy (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Saigon City 50-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Chemical Charge (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Apr.
Cartwright 3-1 (9-9) Made all, drew clear from 2f out, eased close home, won at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (3) pol in May beating Velvet Revolution (9-7) by 8l, 4 ran.