tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, ran on towards finish
chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, driven out
took keen hold, soon steadied, hung left from over 1f out, never nearer
led over 1f, pressed winner, edged left over 1f out, ran on
raced keenly, held up, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
Nonrunner
An ordinary maiden auction contest where The John Best Stakes might be a more appropriate title, with that trainer having four of the 11 runners. We will take one of the quartet, DAKOTA HILLS, to prevail. The key to the selection is likely to be the trip here. Being by Danehill Dancer, trips of six and seven furlongs are likely to prove the optimum for this colt. Admittedly he was well beaten over 7f last time but he was bumped around a bit there and this trip is well worth a try. His draw might also mean he is decent value and he should have enough speed to track across - then we'll have to hope he can get the breaks. Of his three stablemates Black N Brew looks best. He has been thereabouts over this trip on his last three starts and this looks his optimum so there should be little to choose between him and the selection. On the face of it Best's other pair look to have plenty to find, but that is probably not the case with Trigger McCann. Stan Moore's colt improved considerably from first run to second and if maintaining that sort of upward curve then he looks a real threat here. Ditto Ditto was runner-up on the slower Fibresand surface last time but has to prove he is capable of the same form here and in any case he looks to have a bit to find. Amorachy looks to be going the wrong way at the moment, but Minturno is well capable of improvement and being involved in the shake-up.
Amorachy 33-1 (8-12) Led stands' side group, ridden halfway, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 32l behind Mabait (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Black N Brew (USA) 7-2 (8-3) Started slowly, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd final stride, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Klynch (9-3) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Ditto Ditto 28-1 (8-10) Hampered start, in rear, ridden over 3f out and raced wide, stayed on from over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Plotting (8-7) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) fbs in Sept.
Trusted Venture (USA) 66-1 (9-3) In touch, effort 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 25l behind Appraisal (9-3) at Goodwood 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Sept.
Trigger McCann 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, mid division, ridden over 2f out, headway to chase leaders approaching final furlong, kept on, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Desert Falls (9-5) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo clm (4) pol in Sept.
Nala (USA) 50-1 (8-10) Led, headed approaching 2f out, weakened rapidly, last of 13, 17l behind Tobond (8-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol.
Venetian Lady 50-1 (8-7) Soon led and keen, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 41l behind Huxaar (8-4) at Beverley 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) hvy in Sept.
Kathanikki Girl (IRE) Tagula filly out of Tenalist.
Shirley High 22-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 8l behind Hermione's Magic (8-12) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol.
Minturno (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Floor Show (9-3) at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Sept.
Dakota Hills 14-1 (9-7) Raced keenly, prominent, bumped 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 13, 16l behind Silent Hero (9-4) at Warwick 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
