disputed lead until led 2f out, soon ridden, headed and kept on inside final furlong
disputed lead till 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leading pair, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leading pair, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, pushed along in rear but not far away, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, driven to go 3rd entering final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish
FELDAY looks worth chancing on his all-weather debut ahead of in-form Ingleby Arch and the revitalised Great Charm. Hughie Morrison's gelding has been largely consistent this year, a point advertised by his comfortable success at York back in October and a solid third on soft ground at Doncaster last time. The three-year-old steps back in trip to six furlongs today but tends to race prominently and can make all here if taking to the surface which he may well do having shown a liking for give in the ground on turf. He might just go off at a nice price on account of the slight doubts about surface and trip but looks worth siding with as an improving sort from whom the best may yet be to come. Ingleby Arch arrives in search of a course and distance treble having scored readily off 88 last time. 5lbs higher today, that might not be enough to stop David Barron's charge who has no fewer than six course and distance successes to his name. Phillip Makin once again takes the ride and this gelding will have plenty of supporters as he bids to defy the highest mark he's faced for some three years. Great Charm could be a solid each way bet at a nice price having won cosily enough last time out on his first run for the yard. Rated much higher when trained with Michael Bell, this gelding finished a couple of lengths behind Ingleby Arch in October but has a 5lb pull in the weights to help and may have improved for a change of scenery so must be taken seriously despite arguably being a better horse at seven furlongs. There are plenty of others with live chances, amongst whom Turn On The Style may be next best. The seven-year-old is returned to the same mark that he scored off at Lingfield this time last year and has Kieren Fallon in the plate. As a multiple course winner he merits respect but may just need dropping a shade more in the weights before a return to the winners' enclosure is possible. Confuchias has won off higher marks than this in the past and although the horse makes his debut here as one who acts on soft ground he may well take to it and so has a chance. The best race on the card and one that can go the way of Felday.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 7-2fav (8-13) Prominent, chased leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Oct beating Nightjar (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Confuchias (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Chased leader, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner and lost 2nd final 75 yards, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Khor Dubai (8-10) at Kempton 7f stks (3) pol in Nov.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Elna Bright (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Felday 17-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Collateral Damage (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov.
Esprit de Midas 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, ran on well, won at Leicester 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May beating Time Medicean (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Indian Skipper (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway towards far side over 2f out, chased leader well over 1f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Markhesa (8-5) at Leicester 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Oct.
Turn On The Style 12-1 (9-2) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 9l behind Jaconet (8-11) at Lingfield 6f listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Great Charm (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) Close-up, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on readily, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov beating Dig Deep (9-1) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
