held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out
chased leader, led 9f out, headed 3f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, slightly hampered approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led for 3f, led again 3f out, ridden and edged left approaching 2f out and again entering final furlong, driven clear
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
CAPE EXPRESS is given the vote to land the finale at the expense of Clear Reef and Aypeeyes. The selection got on the score board on his second outing over course and distance last month and looks more than capable of winning off his current mark of 83. He is well thought of in his yard and is worth staying on the right side in handicaps this winter. Clear Reef is a course and distance winner but is now five pounds higher in the weights for his latest success. He needs to improve once again but has to be short listed to go close. Aypeeyes won at Newbury when tried in first time blinkers during the summer. His form at Lingfield last time out is not great but he is a previous course and distance winner so any market moves should be noted. However for the winner we return to Cape Express.
Aureate 10-1 (10-2) Held up and keen, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 18l behind Step This Way (8-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Close up, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f out, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Grande Caiman (10-0) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Clear Reef 4-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon edged left, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Scarab (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Aypeeyes (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, tracked winner to 3f out, driven and went 3rd 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind Grande Caiman (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Heathyards Pride 11-8fav (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Dec beating Bridgewater Boys (9-6) by 5l, 11 ran.
Cape Express (IRE) 11-10fav (9-3) Prominent, jinked right over 6f out, led 3f out, kept on final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec beating Desert Vision (9-8) by 2l, 11 ran.
Indicible (FR) 11-1 (9-4) Mid-division, lost place and in rear over 3f out, soon tailed off, last of 10, 46l behind Paktolos (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Flying Squad (UAE) 16-1 (9-9) Started slowly, soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, no chance when eased final furlong, 7th of 9, 19l behind Wine 'n Dine (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Quince (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 7l behind Clear Reef (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Remember Ramon (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Never dangerous, 6th of 12, 7l behind Bullet Man (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
