prominent, led over 5f out, headed over 3 out, one pace final 2f
held up, headway over 6f, ridden over 3f, one pace until weakened over 1f out
prominent until lost place over 6f out
steadied at start and held up, never reached challenging position
mid-division, pushed along and lost place over 5f out
dwelt, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
held up behind leaders, led over 3f out, quickened clear over 1f out, easily
dwelt and towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, headed over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, led over 6f out, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
Aphorism gets the confident vote in this maiden with Weet For Ever and Prophet Preacher rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair third in a better race last time out behind All The Good, that form has since been franked and in a poor affair he is hard to oppose. Weet For Ever rates the main danger on his best form buyt he has had plenty of chances and is far from consistent so is passed over with this in mind. Prophet Preacer is another that could go well but he has been done no favours by the draw. Of the remainder Asleep At The Back is unexposed and could improve but he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time and for the winner we return to Aphorism.
Stagecoach Emerald 50-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 17, 13l behind Summer Bounty (9-4) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Apr.
Asleep At The Back (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, mid-division, lost place over 6f out, headway 3f out, staying on when rider lost whip 2f out, 4th of 13, 13l behind Bolckow (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn clm (7) fbs in Nov.
Grey Finale 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders until lost place 6f out, 10th of 17, well behind Valentines Lady (10-9) at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Nov (N.Hunt).
Watermill (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, 6th of 10, 22l behind Beauty One (10-12) at Ayr 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Nov (N.Hunt).
Weet For Ever (USA) 15-2 (9-13) Took keen hold, led after 1f, headed 8f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 17l behind Blue Hedges (10-12) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Aphorism 12-1 (8-6) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind All The Good (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Prophet Preacher (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 14, 13l behind Leo McGarry (8-12) at Beverley 2m 3yo mdn hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Sophie'jo 20-1 (7-12) With leaders on outer, ridden and beaten over 2f out, 5th of 9, 12l behind Boundless Prospect (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.