Augustus John is taken to win this at the expense of Pop Music and Westering Home. The selection has had his problems in the past but caught the eye last timeout when second to Mighty at Lingfield. He was not beaten far that day and is entitled to more improvement as he is still very lightly raced. Pop Music was in winning action on his latest outing at Wolverhampton and carries a six pound penalty as a result. This may be tougher for him today as a result but he is one to keep and eye on in the market. As is Westering Home who is tried in first time cheek pieces. This has worked on many horses in the past and he was running with credit when third around here last time out so is respected. But for the winner we return to Augustus John.
Pop Music (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Sarwin (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Westering Home (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Beldon Hill (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol.
Augustus John (IRE) 11-10fav (9-3) Led to over 7f out, led again well over 2f out, hard ridden and headed just over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Mighty (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol.
Tamatave (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, hampered and not clear run well over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Scamperdale (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Takes Tutu (USA) 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear, effort on inside approaching 2f out, not clear run, not recover, 8th of 12, 5l behind Pop Music (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Discotheque (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Kilimandscharo (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Abbeygate 11-4fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 3f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure, 5th of 13, 4l behind Padre Nostro (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Buscador (USA) 12-1 (8-7) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out and weakened, 7th of 12, 5l behind Pop Music (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
