prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on
started slowly and towards rear, brought wide and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent for 4f
in touch, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
dwelt and towards rear, pushed along halfway, switched right over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
mid-division, ridden along halfway, never troubled leaders
led, headed over 1f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong
towards rear, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
Al Qeddaaf, GRAND STITCH and Sioux Rising form the shortlist in the finale and the vote goes to Grand Stitch. The selection shaped with plenty of promise on his debut but he was a beaten favourite last time when the soft ground may have been against him. These conditions should be more suitable and from a decent draw we will give him another chance. Al Qeddaaf shapes as though he will come into his own over middle distances this season but he ran well when last seen out over this trip and if he is fit enough to do himself justice tonight on his seasonal bow he has to have a serious chance. Sioux Rising shaped with promise on her debut in a decent maiden at Newmarket, but she has been off the track since August and the market will be a guide to her chance. Turning Top has not been done any favours by the draw, while Akabar, Avertor and Bandstand are newcomers that could go well. A tough race to close the card and we will take Grand Stitch to put his racecourse experience to good use.
Akabar Piccolo gelding out of Fredora.
Al Qeddaaf (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Dynamo Dane (9-3) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Avertor Oasis Dream gelding out of Avessia.
Cheyenne Red (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Dwelt and towards rear, soon chased along and headway 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Strictly (8-7) at Doncaster 6f mdn auc stks (5) gs.
Grand Stitch (USA) 13-8fav (9-3) Led to halfway, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Keeptheboatafloat (9-3) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Jun.
Rogalt (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 8, 31l behind African Cheetah (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gs.
Field Fantasy 33-1 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 9l behind Paddy Bear (9-0) at Thirsk 6f mdn auc stks (5) gf in Apr.
Freya's Flight (IRE) Viking Ruler filly out of Polish Saga.
Jillolini 40-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 8l behind Paddy Bear (9-0) at Thirsk 6f mdn auc stks (5) gf in Apr.
Mrs Medley Rambling Bear filly out of Animal Cracker.
Our Apolonia (IRE) 25-1 (7-10) Tracked winner, hung right and lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 33l behind Amber Sunset (9-4) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Pollish 18-1 (8-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 12l behind Rio Cobolo (8-1) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Nov.
Sioux Rising (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Always mid-division, 8th of 15, 7l behind Absent Pleasure (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Two Turtle Doves (IRE) 100-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 20l behind Ishe Mac (8-5) at Thirsk 7f 3yo mdn (4) gf.
Bandstand Royal Applause gelding out of Incise.
Exopuntia 66-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, mid-division, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Purissima (8-12) at Warwick 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Turning Top (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, steady headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 8th of 13, 7l behind Awfeyaa (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll stks (5) pol in Oct.
