prominent, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
held up in rear, smooth headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden along when weakening 2f out
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, some late headway, never near to challenge
always rear division
in touch, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division, headway 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden along over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
soon led, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Definite Guest and Tough Love are worth considering here but we will nominate Spinning as our idea of the winner. The selection has not always been the most straightforward but he was a decisive winner on his last run in September when he beat Miss Thailand over 7f at Redcar. This step-up in trip should suit and he could prove tough to beat. Definite Guest is from a stable in form and although he has been a bit disappointing of late it would be no surprise to see him show more today now that he reverts back to this trip. Tough Love is a seasoned campaigner but he has needed his first outing of the season over the last couple of years and on that basis we will take him on today. Shy Glance and course and distance winner Champain Sands are others worth considering, but Spinning remains relatively unexposed and can land the spoils.
Spinning 2-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway to lead halfway, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept beating Miss Thailand (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Efidium 16-1 (8-1) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, staying on towards finish, 8th of 14, 14l behind Countdown (8-13) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Tough Love 7-1 (9-7) In touch, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Treasure House (9-3) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sept.
Shy Glance (USA) 11-4fav (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, wandered from over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Nov beating Final Tune (9-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Champain Sands (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Always behind, last of 13, 14l behind Barbirolli (7-8) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (3) gs in Sept.
Definite Guest (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Ridden over 3f out, always behind, last of 12, 21l behind Red Birr (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Methusaleh (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden along over 2f out, headway on inner over 1f out, ran on final furlong with nearest at finish, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Sawwaah (9-11) at Catterick 7f sll (6) gf.
Sir Bond (IRE) 10-3 (8-11) Dwelt, headway when not clear run over 2f out, no further impression, 9th of 12, 10l behind Picador (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.