chased leader until ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway halfway, hampered inside final furlong, soon eased
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden and edged left just over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, behind, not clear run over 2f out, ridden when switched right and headway over 1f out, soon not much room, ran on to lead last strides
in touch, ridden 2f out, hampered 1f out, soon weakened
soon chasing leaders, ridden halfway, weakened quickly
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon behind
behind, ridden and headway 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on, nearest at finish
Mind Alert, Mambazo and St Ivian are three against the field in a wide open contest and the tentative vote is given to Mind Alert. The selection was a fair third behind Orchestration last time out, form that sets the standard in the context of this race, and off the same mark here he looks the value bet. Mambazo rates the main danger as he was behind the selection last time they met and he should get closer on these revised terms. However, his best form is over a longer trip and for that reason he is opposed. St Ivian is another that could go well but he is another whose best form is over a longer trip. New Options has dropped to a handy mark and is another with place claims but he is becoming expensive to follow. Of the remainder, Desert Light is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but he is hard to win with and in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Mind Alert.
Blue Moon Hitman (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Soon tracked leader, weakened 1f out, 5th of 6, 6l behind Madrasee (8-10) at Bath 5f clm (6) frm in Jul.
St Ivian 5-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, not quicken well inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2l behind He's A Rocket (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
New Options 9-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, some headway over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 13, 5l behind Misaro (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Lady Pekan 7-1 (9-0) Made most until ridden, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind He's A Rocket (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Desert Light (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Orchestration (9-7) at Southwell 5f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Mambazo 10-11fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Mind Alert (8-8) at Southwell 6f stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Malahide Express (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) With leaders, edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 6l behind He's A Rocket (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Mind Alert 14-1 (8-12) Prominent, keen, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Orchestration (9-1) at W'hampton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Nov.
