mid-division, under pressure before halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
chased leaders, hard driven over 2f out, soon challenging winner, kept on same pace close home
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well under pressure, never able to challenge
made all, strongly challenged from over 1f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, lost place halfway
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, behind, never dangerous
in rear, some late headway, never dangerous
There's very little to choose between Apollo D'Negro and VETVEY on a line through Expose but with the former already proven at this track Mark Johnston's runner gets the call. A switch to this surface brought about a big improvement in the selection and with this the only one of multiple original entries from the yard left in the signs are good. Apollo D'Negro has been progressive and was expected to go better last time so has to be given maximum respect. Cristaliyev sets the standard at the ratings but it's disappointing he couldn't build on a near miss at Folkestone so Vetvey gets the nod.
Apollo D'negro (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, in touch in mid-division, not much room 2f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and edged left, not able to trouble leaders, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Enthusing (9-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Cristaliyev 9-2 (9-3) Chased leader, pushed along and every chance 2f out, stayed in 2nd until inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Karam Albaari (9-3) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Missile Command (IRE) Majestic Missile colt out of Blusienka.
Reachtothestars (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Reared start, in rear, soon outpaced, beaten over 2f out, last of 11, 18l behind Reason To Believe (8-6) at Hamilton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sep.
Suave Character 100-1 (7-12) Outpaced, 9th of 12, 8l behind Sugar Beet (9-5) at Folkestone 5f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Vetvey (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead narrowly when edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Expose (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Boushra Redback filly out of Esdaraat.
Escala 150-1 (9-0) Slowly away, in rear, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 18l behind Mama Lulu (9-0) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo fll mdn (5) gs in Sep.
Melbury 28-1 (8-11) Towards rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 10, 7l behind Camache Queen (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn fll auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Bertiewhittle 100-1 (9-3) Dwelt, towards rear, outpaced when edged left 2f out, hung left and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong to go 4th post, no impression, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 6l behind Jade (8-12) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Iceblast Iceman colt out of Medici Princess.