chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon hard ridden, strongly challenged inside final furlong, headed post
tracked leaders, not clear run over 2f out, effort over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up in rear but in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leader, switched right to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on strongly to lead post
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
A good run from Querido in the previous race will flag up the chances of Hector Spectre who finished runner-up to the former on his latest start. Bestowed looks in the handicapper's grip now but Black Coffee is travelling in the opposite direction and has slipped down to a tempting mark. However, EASTERN GIFT is steadily returning to form with recent placed efforts both here and at Lingfield and considering he won off a 6lb higher mark on the turf this summer, Gay Kelleway's charge gets the vote.
Bestowed 3-1fav (8-10) Missed break, held up in rear, ridden 4f out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 4l behind Saviour Sand (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Eastern Gift 7-2fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, edged right entering final furlong, ridden to challenge winner when carried left inside final furlong, hampered and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mountrath (9-1) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-62 (6) pol.
Una Pelota (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, driven along inside final 3f, some headway 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 10, 17l behind Aurora Sky (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.
Black Coffee 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 5f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Esteem Lord (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Non Tiscordardime 25-1 (9-3) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sports Casual (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Hector Spectre (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Querido (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.