A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Intavac Boy, Gentle Peace and Charnock Bates One and the narrow vote is given to Intavac Boy. The selection was behind Gentle Peace last time out but on these revised terms he is taken to gain his revenge on that rival. Gentle Peace is sure to have his supporters but he may struggle under his penalty and has been done no favours by the draw so he looks worth opposing at likely odds. Charnock Bates One is another that could go well on his latest third but he has yet to win on this surface and he looks opposable on that basis. Sriology is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with while Galley Law has dropped to a handy mark and should be noted in the market but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Intavac Boy.
Gentle Peace (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Intavac Boy (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Intavac Boy 7-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, hung left over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Gentle Peace (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Dwelt, towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Yenaled (8-10) at Catterick 1m 4f app clm (6) gd in Oct.
Galley Law 25-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 5th of 10, 4l behind Gentle Peace (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Charnock Bates One (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, ridden when switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Western Roots (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Sriology (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Behind, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 14, 9l behind Stevedore (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Zeydnaa (IRE) 9-2fav (9-3) Close up, switched right and headway 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-50 (6) gf in Oct beating Notte Italiana (8-6) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Regency Red (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway when not clear run from over 2f to over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 16, 5l behind Intavac Boy (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
