mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, switched right entering final furlong, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always rear division
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed well inside final furlong , no extra close home
led, ridden along over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, headway on inner 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest at finish
towards rear, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never reached challenging position
never better than mid-division
towards rear, never dangerous
close up, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened approaching final furlong
Creative Mind gets the vote here with Stoic Leader and Flipando the others for the shortlist. The selection has got some good solid form in the context of this race and although he has been off the racecourse since October, the stable does well with their runners first time out. He has ground conditions to suit and a good draw today and he should take all the beating. Stoic Leader does have the benefit of a recent run and he won last time when beating Angaric. However, he was all-out to score that day and from a high draw he is worth taking on. Flipando is making his seasonal reappearance but he is another that is not ideally drawn and his best form is over a mile. Malcheek has a fair draw and this course and distance winner could go well at a price, but for the winner we will stick with Creative Mind who should have too much class for his rivals.
Flipando (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 15, 2l behind Nanton (8-11) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Bustan (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 5, 8l behind With Interest (8-8) at Nottingham 1m stk (2) sft in Nov.
Commando Scott (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Giganticus (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Malcheek (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Chased leader, ridden and every chance from 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 2l behind Areyoutalkingtome (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Creative Mind (IRE) (9-0) Led to final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Deauville (8-12) at Hannover 6f lst fll stk gd in Oct.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Angaric (8-6) by a shd, 12 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Sound of Nature (8-7) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Inaminute (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Led, raced in stand side group over 5f out, pushed along over 2f out, hung left and strongly challenged just inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Royal Fantasy (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m fll hcp (4) gf.
