tracked leader until halfway, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, weakened after 1f out
always in rear
held up in last pair, headway and switched left well over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on to lead close home
led, joined 3f out, kept slight advantage until headed close home
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in 5th, headway on outside 4f out, went 3rd over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, virtually pulled up over 1f out
Chepstow maiden winner Java Rose may be the pick of the older fillies ahead of the returning Infinite Hope and Windsor specialist Choral Festival but she was readily brushed aside at Pontefract off today's mark on her handicap debut. The hat-trick-seeking Prospera must go on the short-list but is upped in grade here and the handicapper may have a grip on Newmarket third Pivotal Silence now. BANTAM couldn't cope with the unbeaten Court Pastoral at Thirsk but was clear of the third and readily accounted for Shalwa at Windsor earlier. Though 3lb worse off, Ed Dunlop's charge can confirm that form and land this.
Infinite Hope (USA) 11-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, soon tracked leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind Layali Dubai (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Choral Festival 14-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Regal Hawk (9-2) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Java Rose 10-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, good headway over 3f out, soon chased winner, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Special Meaning (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 4f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Bantam (IRE) 2-1 (8-12) Steadied start, keen hold in touch, took closer order over 5f out, every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Court Pastoral (9-2) at Thirsk 1m 4f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Shalwa 11-4 (9-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Bantam (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Prospera (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 4f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol beating Magika (9-1) by 4l, 8 ran.
Pivotal Silence 7-4 (8-12) Tracked winner, led 8f out, headed 3f out, ridden and slightly hampered entering final 2f, driven inside final, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Alcaeus (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.