tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, no impression
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
in touch, weakening when hampered over 1f out
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
took keen hold tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden clear final furlong
never a factor
always in rear
keen held up in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, never nearer
very slowly away and lost many lengths, headway to track leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway on outer to track leaders 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Withdrawn
There are reasons for opposing Brushing and we do so in favour of PIQUANTE, whilst Cheers For Thea, West End Lad and Steel Trade also have claims. Our selection won nicely on her final start for Michael Bell last year and could continue her progression despite the 9lb higher mark. She travelled kindly that day and quickened, so whilst it is a concern she's changed hands it was for 20,000 guineas and there should be more races to be won with her. Brushing ran a cracker on her return but has a record that suggests she may be best caught fresh. That's admittedly based on limited evidence and we'll find out more here, but from a wide draw we're prepared to oppose her this time. Cheers For Thea returns to the turf off a lower mark than she won off last time, but that was on the all-weather and perhaps she's not as good on turf, although it must be said her sole victory on it came here. West End Lad has more to do here following a victory at Nottingham, a course he thrives at, and can be opposed until returning there despite the fact he's clearly in rude health. Steel Trade is a maiden but he's only had 11 tries and looks fairly treated so respect is given, whilst Glenmuir is well handicapped on his best and could leave his return run behind. This looks wide open but we like the profile of the unexposed Piquante and she gets our vote.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 19, 8l behind Deadly Encounter (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Brushing 10-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dajen (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Aldaado (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Always in rear, 17th of 19, 33l behind Starla Dancer (8-11) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
Piquante 4-1fav (9-3) Held up in touch and always going well, switched right and good headway over 1f out, soon led, ran on well, won at Brighton 1m hcp 0-63 (6) gd in Oct beating Ede's Dot Com (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Glenmuir (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 6l behind Exit Smiling (9-1) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Wiseman's Diamond (USA) 10-1 (7-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 14l behind Paquerettza (9-0) at Doncaster 1m fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gs in Mar.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, took 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind King of The Moors (9-2) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
West End Lad 9-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, all out, just held on, won at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-65 (6) sft beating Ermine Grey (8-9) by hd, 11 ran.
Sarwin (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Prominent, led well over 2f out until 2f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 10l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Prime Circle 20-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off, 8th of 10, 46l behind Bear Tobouggie (8-6) at Redcar 1m 1f mdn stks (5) sft.
Major Magpie (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 14, 11l behind Collateral Damage (9-3) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Aug.
Classic Descent 40-1 (8-12) Started slowly, detatched in rear, stayed on final 2f, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 11l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 12l behind Ensnare (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Cheers For Thea (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Held up in mid-division, headway on outer over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Mar beating Mosqueras Romance (9-1) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Xpres Maite 16-1 (9-1) In touch, lost place 4f out, weakened quickly 3f out, 10th of 14, 29l behind Brockfield (8-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Sweet Possession (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Awkward start, behind, some late headway, never nearer, 4th of 7, 7l behind She's In The Money (8-8) at Newcastle 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Steel Trade 8-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Just Five (9-1) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
