tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, driven and stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
disputed lead until ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, in rear, never a factor
disputed lead, led over 2f out, ridden and edged right final furlong, ran on
keen, tracked leading pair, ridden and carried head awkwardly from over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd, under pressure well inside final furlong
This looks a fair maiden by the track's standards and COMPTON SYLVIA will be our speculative pick against Flaxen Lake and Esuvia. Pat Eddery did have a winner last week so that rates as an obvious positive in anyone's book. He introduces a half-sister to six furlong specialist, Crimson Brook, and were she to be of any ability, we can expect the paper forecast to be made somewhat irrelevant. Flaxen Lake has the benefit of race experience. He caught the eye with a third at big odds at Pontefract earlier in the year and will rate the benchmark figure for the assessor. Esuvia is a half-sister to Resplendent Glory. Clearly a late maturing filly, she did not do a lot wrong at Wolverhampton last time out. Major Maximus represents an in form yard and has obvious claims on official BHA figures. Exearti shaped with a little more purpose last time out before tiring inside the closing stages. Darling Buds was easy to back on debut so clearly is someway down the pecking order at Kevin Ryan's. For the winner, we return to Compton Sylvia.
Boy The Bell 9-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
Flaxen Lake 11-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, kept on under pressure and wide outside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 6l behind Valmina (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Major Maximus 9-2 (8-12) Held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind So Surreal (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Oct.
Darling Buds 28-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 11l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
Esuvia (IRE) 13-8 (8-12) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
Exearti 10-1 (8-12) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 5th of 13, 5l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
Compton Sylvia Compton Place filly out of Sylhall.