tracked leader, driven to challenge over 3f out, soon every chance, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, progress to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well
tracked leaders, switched left to challenge over 2f out, soon ridden, chased winner entering final furlong, not run on
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, under pressure over 4f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon faded
Not the strongest of handicaps and one where TOUCH OF STYLE is taken to score at the main expense of Rosco Flyer and Alfredtheordinary. The last-named is still 1lb above his last winning mark, which was well over a year ago, and the handicapper has been reluctant to relent given his string of placed efforts. He can go close once again. Rosco Flyer is another with that kind of profile. Roger Teal's four-year-old was runner-up on each of his last two starts, both over this sort of trip. He is up in the weights as a result, which won't make his attempt to go one better any easier. Petomic has been given a squeak by the assessor and is worth another try back over this far, though he has fitness to prove after a few months off, and Merrymadcap has to enter calculations now down to a very competitive mark of 70, with trip and ground to suit. Even so, we will side with Touch Of Style. Matthew Salaman has his string in great form and this gelding has won over both 1m 4f and 1m 1f in the past couple of weeks, going up 11lbs in the process. The return to 10f will be a positive today and he can defy his lastest rise to complete a hat-trick.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Led 1f, remained prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Free Tussy (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Rosco Flyer (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, every chance from 2f out, bumped and pushed left inside final furlong, ran on (placed 2nd), 2nd of 9 Lucayan Dancer (10-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf in May.
Petomic (IRE) 9-2fav (8-11) Led, headed approaching 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 19l behind Ensnare (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Touch of Style (IRE) 4-1fav (8-6) Held up in mid-division, steady headway on outside from 2f out, chased leader inside final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead final 75 yards, readily, won at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Abhar (8-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Alfredtheordinary 16-1 (10-1) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Bavarica (11-2) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
Catholic Hill (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden to dispute modest 3rd 2f out, plugged on in 4th, no chance with leading trio, 4th of 11, 8l behind Le Corvee (8-1) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp (6) gf.
Location 9-1 (9-3) Always behind, 8th of 11, 10l behind Abu Dubai (8-11) at Pontefract 1m fll hcp (5) gf.
