prominent, ridden over 2f, driven to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
never better than mid-division
towards rear, chased along halfway, some late headway, never reached challenging position
in touch, ridden over 3f, soon beaten
in touch, effort over 2f, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
in touch, led halfway, driven when headed over 1f, stayed on same pace
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden halfway, soon beaten
always rear division
mid-division, headway 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, effort when not much room and switched left over 2f, driven to lead over 1f, ran on final furlong
mid-division, driven and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed halfway, soon weakened
DARK DESERT is the tentative suggestion to land a typically competitive nursery. The market will helpfully give us a helping hand with In Step, Mill Pond and Ed's Pride three that we'll be keeping a weather eye on. Tony Newcombe's charge has yet to trouble the judge but he did stay on quite well on his nursery bow at this track over six furlongs. He appeared to handle the surface well enough that day and is bred to relish the extra two furlongs on offer here. Haggas has a decent strike rate at this venue and his Montjeu filly well may prove capable of better than she's shown to date but that could apply to a few of these who are moving into handicap company for the first time. Mark Johnston had a double here in the week so Mill Pond has to be in the equation, Ed's Pride may be capable of better on his return with blinkers fitted whilst Svindal has solid claims but could be vulnerable to an improver. We'll be hoping that Dark Desert is an improver and has enough in the locker to score here.
Svindal (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, joined winner and every chance from over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 10, shd behind Kinigi (7-9) at Southwell 7f 2yo clm (6) fbs in Nov.
Ask Dan (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Mid-division 4f out, 6th entering straight, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 6l behind Pressing Matters (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Orphaned Annie 5-1co-fav (9-2) Hampered start and soon in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Dream Huntress (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol.
In Step 14-1 (8-4) Hampered start, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Doncosaque (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Nov.
True Britannia 15-2 (8-12) Led 2f, stayed prominent, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Noble Dictator (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Artesium 10-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, just outpaced by winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Highland River (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Hollow Green (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Behind, pushed along 3f out, no real impression until passed weakening rivals final furlong, 7th of 13, 14l behind Herschel (9-4) at Kempton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Mill Pond 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out, last of 8, 17l behind Wajaha (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Oct.
Transfered (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Highland River (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Dark Desert 66-1 (8-11) Hampered at start, towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f, no extra final furlong, 8th of 13, 8l behind Madison Belle (9-3) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
Thewaytosanjose (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 17l behind Ashram (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) gs in Aug.
Ed's Pride (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear, reminders halfway, never troubled leaders, 6th of 14, 13l behind Smalljohn (8-11) at York 6f 2yo sll (4) gf in Jun.
Moon Warrior 66-1 (7-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Hold The Bucks (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol.
Angelsbemine 150-1 (8-3) Always rear division, 8th of 10, 18l behind Miss Xu Xia (8-4) at Southwell 7f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Nov.
