slowly into stride, soon outpaced, ridden and headway and edged left over 1f out, soon chased winner, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
with leader over 4f
went right start, held up in touch, headway 3f out, effort and every chance when edged left and carried head high, kept on same pace
chased leaders, soon ridden along, weakened halfway
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
badly hampered start, ridden along in rear, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden halfway, not trouble leaders
close up, soon ridden, weakened halfway
hampered start, held up in touch, headway 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace
A difficult nursery and Especially is the token selection against Splash The Cash and Natural Rhythm. Especially does have a couple of questions to answer after some poor runs but Mark Johnston appears to have kept faith with her and it could be that the absence could have given the yard plenty of time to iron out any training troubles. Splash The Cash has attempted to find that elusive victory through stepping up in trip. He may find seven furlongs on this deep surface a taxing assignment. Natural Rhythm has the services on the in-form Danny Tudhope. Backed over course-and-distance last time out, the market is watched. Galley Slave ran a fair third in a Novice stakes at Wolverhampton but disappointed over five furlongs last week. Tobouggornotobougg makes a handicap debut and is watched in the market. Ballycroy Boy is best of the rest. Especially does not have bombproof credentials at this level but is potentially open to more improvement than most.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, headway under pressure 2f out, no impression after, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Ridgeway Jazz (8-2) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol.
Especially (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 6l behind Points of View (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Splash The Cash 6-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway on inner 2f out, ran on to chase winner final furlong but no real impression, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Flying Applause (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Ballycroy Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Behind, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 9l behind Fathsta (7-6) at Chester 6f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Galley Slave (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 8l behind Weet A Surprise (9-4) at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (6) fbs.
Twilight Belle (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, joined leader over 3f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Wiseman's Diamond (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol.
Tobouggornotobougg 50-1 (9-3) Always behind, 10th of 11, 13l behind Wing Play (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Laureldean Breeze (USA) 9-2 (8-3) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, struggling final 2f, 8th of 12, 10l behind Kryptonite (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Howe's Jack (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Longoria (8-7) at Southwell 6f 2yo clm (6) fbs.
Rock Me (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Led until headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind Fernlawn Hope (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
