held up in 6th, headway over 5f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not quicken
steadied start, pulled very hard in last, took off on outside to join leaders after 5f, hanging badly right, virtually unrideable and ran out soon after
took keen hold in 5th, jinked right and almost took wrong course halfway, headway over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, lost place 5f out, soon pushed along, rallied over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
with leader until 5f out, weakened over 2f out
led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Quite The Man won in good style on his debut, but he could be vulnerable here and we will take him on with IF EVER, who in turn is preferred to Chain Of Command. Richard Phillips's filly was an eyecatcher on her debut when she was staying on from off the pace to take fourth behind Cresswell Bubbles at Ffos Las back in August. She should learn from the experience and nominal improvement would give her a big chance. Quite The Man was a winner at Kelso back in April but he only won by a head that day and although he is a scopey type who should improve, he won't find life easy under a penalty. Chain Of Command is an interesting newcomer who is certainly worth noting in the market, but those with racecourse experience do set a decent benchmark here. It will be a surprise if any of the others are good enough, and we will stick with If Ever to land the prize.
Quite The Man (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on, won at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr beating Reaping The Reward (11-2) by nk, 10 ran.
Chain Of Command (IRE) Sonus gelding out of Come Along.
Driving Seat 80-1 (10-7) In touch, pulled hard, led after 2f, headed 10f out, weakened quickly over 6f out, pulled up over 3f out, in a race won by Line Tzigane (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jul, 16 ran.
L'Eldorado (FR) Urban Ocean gelding out of Little Warden.
Red Not Blue (IRE) Blueprint gelding out of Silent Valley.
If Ever (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Cresswell Bubbles (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m N H flat (6) gd in Aug.
Tegan Lee Midnight Legend mare out of What Chance.