behind, switched left over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, one pace
held up, ridden and headway when not much room over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
made all, ridden 2f out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
chased winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always behind
Not much strength in depth to this nursery and it will come as no surprise to see Joseph Locke cope with top weight; Merlins Quest is respected as a threat if he handles the ground, while King Of Tricks and Baytown Paikea are others that would have to come into the reckoning on the pick of their form. Baytown Paikea was a very cheap purchase and has already repaid her connections with over ¿7,000 earned in win and place money. Brian Reilly has a good record when riding for the Phil McEntee and another bold run cannot be ruled out. King Of Tricks has shown improved form of late and shapes as if he can win a race of this nature. However, he may be ready to tackle another furlong and needs everything to go his way. Merlins Quest looks fairly treated off his current mark and, having gone close at Catterick last month, his turn looks to be on the horizon. Solid support in the betting market will be interesting. However, Joseph Locke can be very hard to pass when he gets his own way in front and, with no obvious contender to take him on for the lead, he may be away and gone when the others start getting into top gear on this ground.
Joseph Locke (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 17l behind Utmost Respect (9-5) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sept.
Merlins Quest 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Tipsy Prince (9-4) at Catterick 6f 2yo hcp (6) gd in Oct.
King of Tricks 66-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, not much room briefly over 2f out, stayed on when clear final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Baileys Outshine (8-12) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Sept.
Mujart 50-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 7l behind Doric Charm (8-13) at Nottingham 6f nov fll stk (5) sft in Oct.
Baytown Paikea 20-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2l behind Hephaestus (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Silly Gilly (IRE) 66-1 (8-4) With leaders, challenged over 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Flores Sea (8-9) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Oct.
Galaxy of Stars 25-1 (8-4) Always in rear, 7th of 9, 17l behind Morinqua (8-7) at Ripon 5f 2yo mdn fll (5) gs in Aug.
Musical Affair 50-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased, 8th of 14, 7l behind Copper King (8-9) at Warwick 7f 2yo clm (6) sft in Oct.
Spinning Game 20-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 18, 17l behind Disco Queen (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo sll hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
Molto Duro (IRE) 150-1 (8-2) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 22l behind Valery Borzov (9-0) at Catterick 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Oct.
Frill A Minute 100-1 (8-5) Behind and soon outpaced, never dangerous, last of 8, 23l behind Now Look Out (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Blakeshall Rose 16-1 (8-8) Behind, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 8l behind Back In The Red (8-12) at Redcar 5f 2yo hcp (6) gf in Sept.
