behind, headway on inner over 3f out, ridden over 1f, stayed on towards finish
prominent, driven over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
tracked leader, pushed along over 4f, ridden over 2f, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, smooth progress to lead over 2f out, quickened clear over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
led, driven and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, pushed along over 4f out, effort when weakening over 2f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, headway over 2f out, staying on to chase winner final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, never dangerous
mid-division, driven over 4f out, not reach challenging position
Sphinx gets the vote here ahead of Sand Repeal and Shamrock Bay. Sphinx proved at York two days ago that today's conditions hold no fear and he might be able to defy a penalty. He is also a course and distance winner. The course winner Sand Repeal is one of those that will handle the jiuce and, relatively unexposed at the trip on Turf, holds each-way claims. Despite having attracted money of late, Bukit Fraser has failed to live up to his billing, although he cannot be discounted here, while Shamrock Bay is one to consider stepping up in trip. The rest are fairly modest overall, it would seem, which spins us back to the selection, which is Sphinx.
Cripsey Brook 25-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 13l behind Tilt (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Feed The Meter (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, never dangerous, last of 6, 17l behind Admiral's Cruise (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f stk (2) gd.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 8-1 (8-1) Led, headed after 2f, lost place 8f out, 8th of 11, 32l behind Indian Pipe Dream (9-5) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Oct.
Sphinx (FR) 17-2 (8-3) Held up, smooth progress over 2f out, quicken to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft beating Wing Collar (9-6) by 4l, 15 ran.
Burning Moon 66-1 (9-0) Always in rear division, last of 16, well behind Rawdon (9-4) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 5-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, soon edged left, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind McEldowney (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f hcap (5) fbs.
The Grey Man 7-1 (9-12) Held up, driven over 3f out, never reached challenging position, 4th of 6, 20l behind Aspasias Tizzy (8-2) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stk (5) frm.
Bukit Fraser (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) In touch, effort over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 16, 10l behind Dium Mac (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gd.
Shamrock Bay 8-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased leading pair from over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Gambling Spirit (8-9) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) frm.
Migration 25-1 (8-5) Dwelt, in rear, never nearer, 7th of 10, 5l behind Captain General (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gf.
Lake Wakatipu 12-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Senor Set (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.