made all, driven over 2f out, stayed on strongly
held up in 4th, raced keenly, headway halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked winner, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, soon one pace
Nonrunner
AMBROGINA did well to get up last time and gets the vote to score again, this time from Knightfire and Seamster. Marco Botti's filly had plenty to do a furlong from home but fought well to get up close home when last seen, and with today's step up to seven set to help her cause she rates banker material off a revised mark of 67. The most likely threat is set to come from Knightfire, whose second over six furlongs last time is decent enough form. That contest wasn't a particularly strong one though and with the extra furlong here not guaranteed to suit and 4lbs more to carry, the percentage call is to oppose this six-race maiden. Seamster is less exposed and ran his best race to date last time, but on the face of it a rating identical to that of our selection does not look particularly fair, but even so he rates of more interest than course victor Angie's Nap whose best form is at shorter. Alphacino has one win over this trip to his name but ran abysmally last time, so with Bitter Honey looking modest this is best left to Ambrogina.
Ambrogina 7-4fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, switched outside and ridden 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, rallied, rider lost whip towards finish, led post, won at Southwell 6f mdn fll (5) fbs beating Freddie's Girl (8-8) by ns, 7 ran.
Seamster 10-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Robust Wish (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Alphacino 12-1 (9-6) Held up headway over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 12, 17l behind Sounds Of Thunder (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Knightfire (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Went left start, tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind The Love Guru (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Bitter Honey 40-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 4l behind Bubbly Bellini (8-2) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Angie's Nap (USA) 5-1 (7-11) Slight lead to halfway, weakened 2f out, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Miss Taken (7-7) at Southwell 7f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs.