held up in touch, ridden and headway 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home
held up mid-division, ridden when not clear run 2f out, one pace final furlong
broke quickly, steadied and settled mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead close home
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear
keen and in touch until weakening when not much room 2f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway on inside when much room 2f out, ridden and no extra
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
Mad Maurice, Shekan Star and Phoenix Eye are the three to concentrate on here and the confident vote is given to Mad Maurice. The selection won with plenty in hand at Brighton last time out in what was his first run for over a year. He has been given a nice break since that outing and providing he takes to this surface on his first try on the all-weather then he should take plenty of beating. He was well-backed when he won last time out and if there is market confidence again behind this Barney Curley runner then it should pay to take the hint. Shekan Star rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind Tycheros here last time. He is dropped in trip today and for that reason we are happy to oppose him. Phoenix Eye won well last time here when beating Tuscan Treaty so he is entitled to plenty of respect. However, he is not the most straightforward of rides and he can't be backed with any confidence. Rotuma hinted at a return to form last time and is another to consider, but for the winner we will stick with Mad Maurice.
Show Me The Lolly (FR) 3-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden, one pace final 2f, 6th of 13, 9l behind Speakerboxxx (9-4) at Southwell 7f stk (7) fbs.
Mad Maurice 11-4fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led on bit over 2f out, soon clear, eased final 100 yards, won at Brighton 1m 2f stk (7) gd in Oct beating Degree of Honor (8-9) by 3l, 12 ran.
Rotuma (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) In touch, not clear run over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Cleaver (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Adobe 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon behind, 12th of 13, 17l behind Magic Warrior (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol in Sept.
Phoenix Eye 9-2 (9-0) Always prominent, led over 1f out, soon hung right, came clear inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol in Oct beating Tuscan Treaty (8-9) by 3l, 13 ran.
Amberlina (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Held up, 12th after halfway, 6th 2f out, 2nd and kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Flashy Beau (9-13) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp 45-70 gf in Sept.
Guadiana (GER) 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression final 2f, 9th of 13, 6l behind Granary Girl (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (7) pol in Oct.
Shekan Star 10-3fav (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on well close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Tycheros (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Oct.
