led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, not much room over 3f out, soon pushed along and slightly outpaced, rallied final furlong
in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
dwelt in touch in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged left, ran on
tracked leader, pushed along and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led 1f, close up, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
The admirably-consistent Sophosc defied the handicapper once again when making all at Lingfield to land a hat-trick. But he carries 6lb extra today while a 9lb rise proved beyond Greeley at Newmarket as he attempted a four-timer ,though this looks easier. Ventura Bay ran well for second in this grade at Ayr last month but Cape Islay failed to cope with a penalty at Beverley and makes her handicap debut along with PREFONTAINE. The latter couldn’t prevent Cap Francais from landing a double at Haydock last time but gets closer with every start and there should be more to come from Roger Varian’s grey now handicapping.
Sophosc (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Set steady pace, ridden over 1f out, pressed on both side towards finish, held on gamely, won at Lingfield 1m (4) pol in Oct beating Fox Fearless (9-7) by ns, 6 ran.
Greeley (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Went right start, in touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 7, 8l behind Even Keel (8-12) at Newmarket 1m (2) gd in Sep.
Cape Islay (FR) 11-4jfav (9-5) Ridden leaving stalls, soon chasing leaders, not clear run from 1f out until inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 5th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Mot Juste (8-12) at Beverley 7f fll stks (5) gd in Sep.
Prefontaine (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway under pressure on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd and kept on final furlong, no impression with winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Cap Francais (9-6) at Haydock 1m stks (4) gs in Sep.
One To Go 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Prejudice (9-5) at Redcar 1m (5) gd in Sep.
Ventura Bay (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Led, headed over 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Iconic Choice (9-5) at Ayr 1m (2) hvy in Sep.
Jacko (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Hard Taskmaster (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f (5) pol in Oct.