in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards, kept on
held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards, no extra close home
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, every chance until weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
South Cape should have too much class for Charlton, with Bathwick Emma maybe best of the remaining trio. South Cape was highly tried after making a successful debut at Newbury last year, taking on Listed company on both subsequent outings. Third in the Rockingham Stakes at York in October, he was then only a place behind Marcus Andronicus on his final start at Doncaster. He handled the soft ground well on both occasions, and this step up in trip will suit him on breeding. In addition, Mick Channon's colt is rated 10lb superior to Charlton on official ratings but can meet that rival off levels here, so there should only be one outcome. Charlton also acquitted himself well as a juvenile, including when a close fifth in the ¿250,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes at Newmarket in September. Terry Mills has his team in good shape judged on recent all-weather exploits at least, and he is the main threat. Bathwick Emma rounded off her two-year-old campaign with a soft-ground maiden win at Nottingham but needs to improve, while Marriage Value, thrown in at the deep end against La Chunga and co in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at York, will appreciate the going and makes more appeal than Spectacular Show, but the finger comes down on South Cape.
Charlton 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Erytheis (8-8) at Newmarket 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) gs in Oct.
South Cape 8-1 (8-9) Towards rear, driven over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Manston (8-9) at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) hvy in Oct.
Marriage Value (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 12l behind La Chunga (8-9) at York 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Spectacular Show (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 7l behind Queen Cobra (8-6) at Yarmouth 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Bathwick Emma (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Pushed along early, made virtually all on stand side, ridden 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) sft in Oct beating Halfwaytoparadise (8-9) by 2l, 11 ran.
