slowly into stride, soon pushed along, behind, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
always towards rear
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, one pace from 1f out
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, led and went left over 2f out, driven out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, headed and hampered and switched right over 2f out, kept on final furlong
prominent, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders to halfway
Withdrawn
A trappy affair to get proceedings underway and among the more obvious contenders are Preskani, Four Amigos and Topiary Ted and we side with Preskani. Although not particularly well drawn this afternoon, Preskani is relatively consistent and did not run at all badly in a handicap at the track a couple of days previously. Danny Tudhope, who gets on particularly well with the horse, is aboard. Four Amigos has chances on some of his better form. Unfortunately that has occasioned on the turf and with a disappointing record on the all-weather, we opt out here. Topiary Ted has dropped massively in the weights and cannot be discounted from a shrewd stable that are sending out winners. Blakeshall Quest is fully exposed but knows how to win round here in modest company. Dark Moon is dropped substantially in trip having largely campaigned over eight furlongs. Glamraazi is unexposed while Rancho Cucamonga has a poor run on this surface to bounce back from. Indian Lady has ability although winning has proved difficult. A difficult race in which Preskani is given the tentative nod.
Only If I Laugh 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, lost place approaching 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 6l behind Final Tune (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Glamaraazi (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) With leader, outpaced 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 13l behind Sapphire Storm (8-7) at Catterick 7f fll hcp (6) gf in Sept.
Topiary Ted 16-1 (8-8) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 8l behind Band (8-12) at Nottingham 1m hcap (6) sft.
Preskani 13-2 (7-12) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 13, 7l behind California Laws (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Blakeshall Quest 9-1 (9-1) Made most, ridden over 1f out, headed and stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Granakey (8-11) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Four Amigos (USA) 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 7l behind Granakey (8-11) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Indian Lady (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 17, 9l behind Forces Sweetheart (9-1) at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Rancho Cucamonga (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Raced far side, held up, ridden and struggling over 2f out, 14th of 15, 8l behind Inka Dancer (8-7) at Nottingham 6f fll hcp (5) gd in Sept.
