tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
dwelt, soon chased along, never on terms
towards rear, soon driven along, never dangerous
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden, one pace final furlong
soon outpaced, pushed along, headway over 1f out, switched right, ran on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
started slowly towards rear, ridden, hung left over 1f out, never dangerous
towards rear, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
The day's feature race on the all-weather can go the way of Celtic Mill ahead of Cornus, last year's winner Quiet Times and Dancing Mystery to name but a few. Celtic Mill's seven Turf outings this year have all been at either Group or Listed level, and David Barker's charge gained his biggest success to date in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Sandown in May. As proved then, he is a hard horse to pass on his day, and it has to be said that he has been unfirtunate for one reason or another since that victory at the Esher track. Better handicapped on the all-weather, he can improve on his recent Lingfield third with the drop back to five furlongs in his favour. The slight drawback is that this fibresand surface will not lend itself to his speedy action, but that may be offset by his class. Cornus beat the selection's stablemate Mr Wolf in a conditions event at Beverley in September but has more to do now, while Quiet Times is on the same mark as when collecting this prize 12 months ago and showed signs of a revival at Lingfield. Dancing Mystery finished fourth last year and will do well to better that placing here on recent evidence, so Celtic Mill, a Group winner in a handicap, looks all set to give in-form Eddie Ahern another winner.
Celtic Mill 8-1 (9-1) Led 5f, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Border Music (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
Dancing Mystery 25-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, held up, not trouble leaders, 9th of 12, 8l behind Border Music (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
Smokin Beau 16-1 (9-4) Prominent 4f, 11th of 12, 11l behind Border Music (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
Yomalo (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Behind, stayed on final furlong, never reached leaders, 6th of 11, 2l behind Paradise Isle (9-2) at Newmarket 6f 3yo fll hcp (2) gd in Sept.
The Lord 25-1 (8-11) Led far side, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 14l behind Presto Shinko (8-11) at Doncaster 6f lst stk (1) sft.
Cornus 12-1 (8-8) Held up, switched left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 5f stk (3) gd in Sept beating Mr Wolf (9-0) by a nk, 8 ran.
Frascati 16-1 (8-13) With leaders, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 2 1/2l behind King's Gait (9-4) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Oct.
Lindbergh 4-1 (9-11) Led over 4f, 5th of 8, 10l behind Fullandby (9-8) at Newmarket 6f 2yo & 3yo stk (4) sft in Oct.
