made all, ridden well over 1f out, clear final furlong easily
chased winner, ridden over 2f out, hung left and no impression from over 1f out
dwelt, held up last, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, eased inside final furlong
Not a bad prize here and just four turn up, giving it a potentially tactical and trappy look. We will side with course and distance winner DIALOGUE to follow up that success of last month, while stablemate Bushveld might emerge as the one for the forecast. Mark Johnston saddles both runners and Dialogue had enough pace to win over 7f at Lingfield in the summer and came good again on the Polytrack her last time. He ran on well that day and there certainly looked to be more to come, and if the handicapper has got the ratings right then he looks the one they have to beat. Bushveld was an eased down course and distance scorer last time in a poor maiden and has been allotted a mark of 80 for this, which seems fair. Strictly on the book he has a bit to find, but the man with the key knowledge here will be the trainer himself. Head Down has had a few chances and not yet broken her duck. There is hope in her pedigree that this step up in trip might suit, but she remains best watched for the time being. Sign Of Approval completes the quartet and went close here over 7f last time. The extra couple of furlongs may well elicit improvement and a market check is advised as a guide to his chance. An intriguing little race then and the pick for us is Dialogue.
Dialogue 5-4fav (9-6) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Free Thinker (8-9) by 1l, 5 ran.
Head Down 4-1 (8-12) Held up 4th, close up 3f out, ridden and hanging left over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no trouble first two, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Rulesn'regulations (9-2) at Lingfield 6f nov stk (4) pol.
Sign of Approval 5-2jt-fav (9-3) Started slowly, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, got clear run and switched left entering final furlong, not troubled winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Elusive Fame (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Bushveld (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, pushed clear over 1f out, soon in command, ran on well, eased towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Captainrisk (8-10) by 2l, 11 ran.
