dwelt, chased along and soon in touch, led after 3f, headed over 7f out, ridden along over 5f out, driven when weakening over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
took keen hold to lead, headed after 3f and remained in touch, regained lead over 7f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, pushed along over 4f out, driven over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
held up, ridden along over 3f out, staying on until weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, never a factor
in touch, led over 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong
Eforetta, Cotton Eyed Joe and Arafan are three against the field in this stayers handicap with the vote going to Eforetta. The selection was a fair fifth behind Gala Evening last time out and with the drop in trip also in his favour he looks the one to be on. Cotton Eyed Joe rates the main danger as he is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but although he travels well he often finds less than expected off the bridle and he is taken on with this in mind. Arafan is another with place claims but he has yet to prove he stays this far and he looks vulnerable under topweight. Of the remainder, Three Thieves and Arsad are course and distance winners and are others with place claims, but for the winner we return to Eforetta.
Arafan (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-5) Held up, headway 4f out, switched right 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 14l behind Takafu (9-9) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Three Thieves (UAE) 11-1 (8-12) Held up, stayed on same pace final 2f, not trouble leaders, 7th of 13, 7l behind Dhehdaah (8-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Gifted Musician 4-1 (9-8) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, last of 15, well behind Bollin Derek (9-1) at York 1m 6f hcap (5) sft in Oct.
Arsad (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression final 2f, 8th of 13, 13l behind Dhehdaah (8-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Valance (9-12) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Victory Quest (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) In touch, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 25l behind Tribe (9-10) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Eforetta (GER) 9-1 (8-10) In touch, led over 4f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Gala Evening (9-10) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Scott 12-1 (8-3) Behind, ridden and headway 4f out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 12l behind Sugitani (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
