mid-division, headway on outside 4f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, came wide entering straight, headway final furlong, kept on
prominent over 3f
led early, always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden clear well over 1f out, ran on well
pulled hard, soon prominent, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway on inside 2f out, weakened 1f out
with leader until ridden and weakened quickly over 4f out, tailed off
took keen hold, soon led, hung right and headed over 2f out, no danger after
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, chased winner well over 1f out, no impression
held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, kept on
mid-division, driven along 3f out, no real headway final 2f
Mystic Man gets the shout here, with Etijahaat, Deeday Bay and Tequila Sheila rating mentions. Mystic Man would hold a very good chance based on his best Turf form and rates serious consideration, although his only run so far on this surface was modest. Etijahaat has yet to recapture his best Irish form in two British starts but debuts on the all-weather now, while Sovereignty is one of those that looks reasonably weighted if taking to the Wolverhampton surface. Deeday Bay has a bit to prove overall but his stable is in form, while Cd Europe has dropped to a handy mark if rediscovering his best, but that's something you couldn't be confident about on this surface. If David Nicholls can find the key to Venables, he could be interesting, but he's not for us today. Tequila Sheila could be interesting, though as, much as her best form has come over six furlongs, she looked worth another try over seven when staying on at Lingfield two runs ago. Finally, Hand Chime got back to winning ways over course and distance last time and, much as that came in a claimer, might go well. In general, the others have something to prove so Mystic Man gets the vote.
Cd Europe (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Chased stand side leader, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead group inside final furlong, no chance with far side, 7th of 17, 5l behind Partners In Jazz (9-2) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) sft in May.
Law Breaker (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, hung right and weakened from 2f out, 6th of 10, 12l behind Further Outlook (8-12) at Sandown 5f clm (5) gs in Sept.
Venables (USA) 33-1 (8-12) Behind when hampered over 3f out, well behind final 3f, last of 19, 34l behind Eisteddfod (9-7) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gd in May.
Mystic Man (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 19l behind Lord of The East (8-9) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
The Best Yet 8-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, held up, ridden halfway, soon beaten, last of 12, 14l behind Caustic Wit (8-2) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-90 (C) gf in Jun '04.
Etijahaat (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Led, headed over 5f out, soon behind, last of 10, well behind Red Racketeer (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Sovereignty (JPN) 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 13th of 15, 7l behind Bo McGinty (9-0) at Carlisle 6f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Hand Chime 5-1 (8-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Sept beating Prince Dayjur (9-8) by a hd, 11 ran.