dwelt, in rear, not far away, pushed along over 4f out, ridden to go moderate 4th 3f out, never a factor
chased winner until ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
close up, improved to dispute 2nd 4f out, driven to chase winner over 2f out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, disputed 2nd over 8f out until over 2f out, soon outpaced
made all, ridden clear entering final 2f, unchallenged
Just the six runners for the penultimate race on the card and it may pay to stick with SHADOWS LENGTHEN ahead of Bosamcliff and Onemorestay. The selection is 7lbs higher than for the latest of his back to back successes but looked to have plenty more to offer when scoring last time at Wolverhampton. Prior to that the gelding had shown a liking for this surface when comfortably beating Swords and with today's drop back in trip of no real concern the three-year-old looks worth a bet. Despite their being a small field this remains competitive and it won't be plain sailing for the likely favourite who has Bosamcliff to beat. David Evans' horse arrives here in search of his own hat-trick and must have a chance of landing it despite being 6lbs higher than when scoring by a head here last time. That effort was commendable for the fact that the four-year-old had to come very wide entering the straight and he did well to chase down the leader, suggesting a 6lb penalty is perfectly fair. Onemorestay is another who comes here following a win having scored over a furlong further at the track last time. That success was back in April though and so fitness has to be taken on trust so he's passed over despite a 4lb higher mark looking more than reasonable; he'll find a race over the next few weeks and months if not today. Benedict Spirit completes the shortlist as he has a 6lb pull in the weights to help avenge a narrow defeat by Bosamcliff last time. The feeling is though that Benedict Spirit had the run of the race that day and he may struggle to reverse the result despite the turnaround in the ratings. With the other two looking up against it this is best left to our selection, Shadows Lengthen.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) In touch, ridden to lead 2f out, driven and edged right approaching final furlong, headed final strides, 3rd of 12, hd behind Bosamcliff (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Bosamcliff (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, headway from over 2f out, ridden to have every chance inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov beating Lost Soldier Three (9-8) by hd, 12 ran.
Onemoreandstay 4-1 (8-6) In touch, led 3f out, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr beating Rawdon (8-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Coral Shores 33-1 (9-2) Soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 26l behind Insolence (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol in Nov.
Shadows Lengthen 13-8fav (8-9) Pushed along leaving stalls, soon prominent racing keenly, went 2nd over 9f out, led 4f out, ridden 1f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov beating Bull Market (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Ailsa Craig (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up, headway 3f out, not clear run, switched left over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Elusive Fame (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
