slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
slowly into stride, behind, ridden 5f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on, not trouble leaders
always towards rear
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always behind
chased leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led to over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, led over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Red Countess starts her handicap career on a fair mark and is just preferred over the in-form Cleaver and Parnassian, while Dream Shared is interesting from a share of the bottom of the weights. Dream Shared is bred to appreciate this trip and looks to be on an upwards curve after going close at Lingfield in September. Quite whether she will handle the ground remains to be seen, so she may be a risky option for win only purposes. Parnassian was a touch unlucky here last week and can be forgiven that run. He does need to make his own luck today though and his 7lb rise in the weights from his Windsor success makes life hard today. Cleaver is another creeping up the weights after winning a couple of modest events. This is his toughest race for a while and he needs everything to fall into place for him. Therefore, we prefer to go with the less exposed Red Countess, who rallied strongly to the cause on the All Weather last time. The switch to a softer surface will be ideal for this daughter of Pivotal and with Ryan Moore in the plate, everything appears top be in place for big run in the finale.
Top Spec (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Held up, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, clear approaching final furlong, easily, won at Newmarket 1m 4f clm (4) gs in Oct beating Incidentally (9-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 16-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Abhisheka (9-8) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Dumaran (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 7, 6l behind Follow The Colours (8-0) at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Pure Imagination (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Held up, headway when not clear run and, switched right approaching final furlong, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 9l behind Writ (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Red Countess 9-4 (8-12) Chased leaders, driven along over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Escape Clause (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Cleaver 7-4fav (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, quickened to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct beating Pee Jay's Dream (9-1) by 2l, 11 ran.
Parnassian 7-4fav (8-9) Towards rear, effort on inside over 4f out, not much room 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 14, 8l behind Mezuzah (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Arry Dash 40-1 (8-10) Always behind, 11th of 14, 9l behind Abhisheka (9-8) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Danelor (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 10th of 11, 14l behind Country Escape (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Logsdail 11-1 (9-3) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Khun John (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Press Express (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 14, 6l behind Benandonner (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 100-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 19, 20l behind Leslingtaylor (9-4) at York 1m 4f app hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Kavachi (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up, never dangerous, 13th of 20, 10l behind Pleasing (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 3yo app hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Royal Flynn 5-1jt-fav (9-7) Held up, steady headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, good headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, won at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct beating Persona (9-6) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Dream Shared 4-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 3f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Particle (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Little Bob 7-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, gradually weakened, 7th of 8, 8l behind Top Jaro (8-7) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
