soon prominent, weakened over 3f out
towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chasing leaders when held and hampered
in touch on inside, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, led well inside final furlong
towards rear, soon ridden along, stayed on
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened and behind
mid-division and keen, ridden 3f out, one pace
keen and always in the rear
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on under pressure to take 2nd line
led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, led again over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Ballyshane Spirit, Polyquest and Global Traffic are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the tentative vote is given to Ballyshane Spirit. The selection hails from a shrewd in-form yard and with the step up in trip likely to bring about significant improvement he looks the value bet. Polyquest rates the main danger as he has shown a modicum of ability in three runs to date. He enters handicaps off a realistic mark and should be closely watched in the market. Global Traffic is another that could go well on his best form but he has had plenty of chances and looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Shrewd Dude is another from a yard in form but he is bred to be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Of the remainder, Party Palace has the plot draw and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Ballyshane Spirit.
Polyquest (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden over 4f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 8l behind New Beginning (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Nov.
Greek God 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon faded, 11th of 16, 10l behind Love Brothers (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Global Traffic 7-2 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, not clear run from over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 11, nk behind My Mirasol (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec.
Ballyshane Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (7-5) Held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 8l behind Sharpazmax (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Tres Hombres 7-1 (8-11) Led at steady pace, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 9l behind Summer Dancer (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Shrewd Dude 7-2jt-fav (8-9) Prominent, effort 2f out, not quicken and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 6l behind Prince of Charm (9-0) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Party Palace 3-1jt-fav (8-10) Led, headed 5f out, led again over 3f out, ridden when headed 2f out, led again 1f out and headed well inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Gold Response (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo sll (6) pol in Dec.
Skye But N Ben 12-1 (8-8) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Beau Sancy (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.