soon in touch, ridden over 2f out to chase leaders, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, raced wide, ridden and stayed on from over 1f out
mid division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out to chase leaders, soon one paced
track leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed close home
held up towards rear, ridden for headway 2f out on wide outside, ran on strongly to lead close home
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out on inside, no impression
tracked leader, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, not reach winner
led, headed 3f out, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders until halfway
in touch until halfway, soon behind
slow to stride, towards rear, ridden and out paced over 3f out, ran on from over 1f out
mid division, ridden for headway over 1f out to chase leaders, kept on one pace
Villa del Sol has dropped to a plater's mark after doing well as a juvenile two years ago. The 12-year-old Redoubtable won on the Turf during the summer (from a mark of 49, 43 today) and has won here twice over 6f (from a high of 70 in March 2001). It wouldn't be any surprise to see him run well from a low mark. Bijan won at Southwell over 6f in November 2001 (from a mark of 59, now 44) but recent form has been uninspiring. Desert Royal hasn't won since taking a claimer in his juvenile days, was beaten in blinkers last time and his mark has plummeted to a career low. Royal Windmill, still a maiden, has been raised 3lbs for finishing third to Arc El Ciel (who runs earlier on the card) over c/d on his last run. Robin Sharp's fourth to Madame Jones here in December 2001 (rated 66, now 52) reads well in the context of this race and has run reasonably well from around today's mark recently. Robin Sharp is a c/d winner (back in January 2001 from a mark of 69, now 52) and there have been recent signs of improvement. Patientes Virtis won well here over 6f in July (from a mark of 53, now 54 less rider's 3lbs allowance) so is entitled to respect on that basis despite recent efforts being disappointing. Witness won over c/d in November (rated 52, now 56) and has to be considered but does not look well weighted with Sal's Gal on their c/d runs on 30 November. That was Sal's Gal's first and only try at this trip and the jury is out as to whether it suits. There is plenty of speed in her pedigree, it has to be said, but she's not badly weighted if the trip proves acceptable to her. Bulawayo, racing in a first-time visor, does not look well weighted with Royal Windmill on separate runs with Arc El Ciel. On the upside, he won from a mark of 60 (now 58) over c/d in June. Puppet Play has won three times here over 6f (from a high of 63 in February 2001, now runs off 58, but won on the Turf from a mark of 60 in September). If in form, she has also to be considered. She wears blinkers today for the first time in a long time, although she has run well in them and connections consider 7f to be her best trip. Red Delirium has won three of his last five races (two sellers and a claimer) but ought to show up in this as he is a three-time c/d winner. Not a straightforward race but Witness gets the nod.
