tracked leaders, switched left to chase leader over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on, comfortable
raced wide, held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders
led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt soon pushed along in rear, not trouble leaders
keen tracked leader, led approaching 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, wandered under pressure and hit rail a couple of times
raced wide in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Ahtoug hails from an in-form yard and ended last year with his best effort yet when scoring at Wolverhampton but NIGHT CARNATION's second in a Listed event at Doncaster in October was arguably a better performance. An entry in another Listed race at Ascot next Wednesday suggests she has trained on and trainer Andrew Balding could view this as an easier option. Ballista looked in need of the outing at Thirsk on his return and he's preferred to stablemate Julius Geezer, while the speedy Bathwick Bear should appreciate the drop back in trip.
Night Carnation 25-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders entering final furlong, soon every chance, not pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Earl Of Leitrim (9-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Bathwick Bear (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leader until ridden 1f out, edged left and no extra near finish, 5th of 9, 5l behind Acclamazing (8-10) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Julius Geezer (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) With leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 10l behind Arctic Feeling (9-3) at Ayr 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Sep.
Ballista (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, hampered just after halfway, never a factor, 9th of 16, 8l behind On The High Tops (8-2) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Belle Bayardo (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ran wide from over 4f out, awkward and weakened over 3f out, last of 12, 22l behind Loki's Revenge (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Ahtoug 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders on inside, effort when not clear run over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Phoebs (9-13) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Roman Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Disputed lead, narrow advantage over 3f out, ridden and joined inside final furlong, pipped on line, 2nd of 8, hd behind Oneladyowner (9-0) at Windsor 6f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gf.
