slowly away, detached and early reminders, still last entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on strongly final furlong, better for race
always travelling well, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden out
held up, switched left towards inside over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened well over 2f out
held up, headway to go prominent on inside 3f out, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, lost 3rd inside final furlong
keen, in touch, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out
towards rear, outpaced after 3f
taken to post early, led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never near leaders
Not an easy contest to assess and a watching brief is advised but we'll take SPECIAL BOND to prove too good for Darwin's Dragon while there are a couple of interesting newcomers to consider. Jamie Osborne-trained Special Bond was well held at Doncaster last time after having gone very well on debut at Lingfield. It may have been that her second run came a bit too soon after her first, or possibly the straight mile that was an issue, but whatever the problem was on Town Moor the filly looks worth giving another chance over a trip that pedigree suggests will hold no fears. She also has to prove her liking for the Fibresand but her sire acted on just about anything including slower ground so there is optimism in that regard. Darwin's Dragon represents a yard in decent nick and is another one aiming to put a slightly disappointing effort behind him. This trip suits, though he too has to prove he will act here, and for today we will oppose. Magical Destiny is an interesting debutant for Bryan Smart, who does well with his juveniles, although this colt's pedigree suggests that he will be better next year. Michael Bell gives Vodka Shot her first peek at the racetrack and she looks more likely to show more on debut. Related to plenty of winners from sprint trips to middle distances, she tries 7f first time and is one to watch with interest. Emeebee was staying on strongly over this trip on his Warwick debut and this slower artificial surface may well also suit the Medicean gelding, so improvement is anticipated but we'll take Special Bond to score.
Magical Destiny (IRE) Exceed And Excel colt out of Magic Lady.
Moon Lightning (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division, hard driven over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 7l behind Baariq (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Darwin's Dragon 25-1 (9-3) Steadied start, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, one pace final 2f, never nearer, 9th of 13, 9l behind Axel Foley (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Jack's House (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 15l behind Shifting Gold (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2yo sll (6) hvy in Oct.
Reigning In Rio (IRE) 40-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 23l behind Pure Poetry (8-13) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Jul.
Special Bond 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 15, 9l behind Leocorno (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Oct.
Vodka Shot (USA) Holy Bull filly out of winning miler Absoluta.
That Boy Ronaldo 50-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 14l behind Denton Diva (8-5) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs.
Navy (USA) Dance Master filly out of Sea Saint.
Paint Splash 66-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride and always behind, 10th of 13, 14l behind Anthology (9-3) at Musselburgh 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Emeebee 20-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up, switched right approaching final furlong, kept on, better for race, 4th of 10, 4l behind Glowing Praise (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Oct.
