raced keenly, always prominent, challenged over 2f out, edged left from over 1f out, no extra towards finish
raced keenly, pressed leader, led over 2f out, soon hung left, hard ridden inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced, always behind
slowly into stride, pushed along, effort on outside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, shaken up from over 2f out, not much roon inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, headway, not much room over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, switched right over 1f out
chased leaders on outside, outpaced 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
With little to recommend any of the newcomers, Royal Applord has the best form and looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account and he gets the vote ahead of Santa Clara and Amyann. The last mentioned showed improved form on his debut effort when a creditable third at here last time and, with the possibility of further improvement, he has to be respected. Kool Katie ran a fair race on her debut spin at Wolverhampton and would have claims if handling the Fibresand. Mark Johnson's Traitor's Gate has given no sign of encouragement so far and of more interest may be Jane Chapple-Hyam's Santa Clara, who looks to be going the right way. Sir Mark Prescott's stoutly bred Ultimate Quest looks the pick of the newcomers but is likely to do better over further and preference is for Royal Applord, who is taken to gain an overdue first success.
Helping Hand (IRE) Lend A Hand colt, half-brother to winning sprinter Queen Of Night and 7f-1m3f winner Supreme Salutation.
Royal Applord 11-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 12l behind Endless Luck (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Traitor's Gate 15-2 (9-1) Propped start and unseated rider in race won by San Silvestro (8-13) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Nov, 13 ran.
Ultimate Quest (IRE) Rainbow Quest colt, brother to 1m2f winner Poise, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Amyann (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Didana (8-9) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs in Dec.
Inontime (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Applauded (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Dec.
Kool Katie 16-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Wise Melody (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo fll mdn aut (6) pol in Dec.
Santa Clara 9-2 (9-5) Held up, headway and hung right over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Night Robe (8-3) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Topflightrebellion 50-1 (9-0) Prominent until lost place 3rd, headway when hampered and not clear run 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Wise Melody (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo fll mdn aut (6) pol in Dec.
