prominent, every chance over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
prominent, chased leaders halfway, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
led, driven and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
always behind
pulled hard in touch, weakened over 2f out
soon mid-division, driven halfway, some late headway, never nearer
The consistent Royal Keva and Sairaam are considered, however the narrow vote is given to LOUISIADE who ran well in defeat last time out at Lingfield. Richard Guest's gelding is able to race off the same mark of 45 this afternoon having run well behind Join Up earlier in the week, although he is one pound out of the weights so it is effectively 46. A course and distance winner, he is likely to relish a return to this surface and is fancied to oblige. Ride A White Swan is still a maiden and is stepped up in trip, Iron Max returns from a break for a new yard and has the potential to improve, whilst Top Flight Splash is a course winner and is gradually edging down the weights. Sairaam's My Sweet Georgia form looks solid enough for this grade, Special Cuvee is another course winner who looks well-handicapped if back on track, whilst Royal Keva continues to run well in defeat since the re-application of the blinkers. Not a race to dwell on, but preference is for Louisiade.
Royal Keva (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to go 3rd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 14, nk behind Prince Golan (10-6) at Southwell 1m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) fbs in Nov.
Special Cuvee 12-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 40l behind On The Loose (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Bertbrand 10-1 (9-0) Chased leading pair until over 1f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Nacho Libre (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Sairaam (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up and keen, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Royal Society (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Top Flight Splash 20-1 (8-5) Outpaced in rear, never troubled leaders, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Welcome Approach (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Positivity 14-1 (8-12) Pushed along mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 11l behind Cape Quarter (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Hard Ball 33-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 7l behind Amethyst Dawn (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Nov.
Iron Max (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Behind, lost place over 2f out, last of 10, 14l behind Asserting (8-11) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Jun.
Ride A White Swan 15-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden and beaten over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind The Wee Chief (9-3) at Kempton 6f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Louisiade (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Broke smartly, led 1f, chased clear leader after, led again 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Join Up (8-13) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Toballa 14-1 (8-6) Led, headed over 4f out, remained prominent, until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 16l behind Dancing Welcome (8-13) at Lingfield 7f Apprentice Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) pol in Nov.
