in touch, switch right well over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leader, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in rear, staying on when not clear on inside and switched right inside final furlong, never near leaders
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd last stride
in touch, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, took 2nd last strides
held up, took keen hold, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
reared start, pulled hard, soon mid-division, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, weakened well over 1f out
towards rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
broke well, soon steadied, always in rear
slowly into stride, always in rear
took keen hold towards rear, came wide entering straight, never on terms
raced keenly, prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
This looks competitive with four last time out winners in the line-up but BEAT THE BELL won impressively enough to think that he can defy his penalty. Royal Challenge and Bahamian Kid are two names to note amongst the many live dangers. Alan Bailey's colt is one of the least exposed runners in the line-up and he has reasonable claims of defying his penalty. He carries the extra six having won at Great Leighs where he scored a shade cosily, proving his affinity for the polytrack surface in the process. Doubtful Sound has an exceptional record here but will find it harder in this company under a penalty than he did in a claimer last time although the speedy Mr Wolf may help to set the race up for the hold-up horses but won't be easy to pass himself if taking to the surface. Royal Challenge has been in great form this autumn and remains on a fair mark on the pick of his form. He looks certain to be involved in the shake-up if maintaining his recent run. Bahamian Kid ran on strongly to win his maiden here over seven furlongs on his return to action following a short break. He drops back in trip tonight and is drawn wide, neither of those factors enhance his claims but the cheekpieces may help him progress and he is unexposed. Preference is for Beat The Bell.
Doubtful Sound (USA) 7-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol beating Monsieur Reynard (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Beat The Bell 15-2 (8-4) Tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating San Jose City (9-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Chased leader to over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 13, 6l behind Artistic License (8-12) at Great Leighs 6f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Mr Wolf 9-2 (9-1) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on, won at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept beating Make My Dream (9-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Royal Challenge 10-3fav (9-4) Held up, ridden 2f out, headway final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Yungaburra (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Bahamian Kid 5-2 (9-3) In touch, headway 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, soon led and ran on, won at W'hampton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept beating Ishiadancer (8-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Haajes (9-1) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Sept.
Mafaheem 11-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, pushed along over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Royal Challenge (9-5) at W'hampton 6f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Applesnap (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, hung right and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 6l behind The Cayterers (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Rabbit Fighter (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Blessed Place (8-5) at Sandown 5f hcap (4) sft in Sept.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and effort well over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 17, 12l behind Prince Golan (8-6) at Leicester 7f app hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Bertbrand 50-1 (9-1) Mid-division, outpaced halfway, slightly checked 2f out, no real headway after, 7th of 12, 12l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
Gwilym (GER) 20-1 (8-9) Soon pushed along in mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 16, 7l behind Lord of The Reins (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
