led after 1f, ridden and headed after 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway on outside 3f out, led 1f out, ridden and ran on well
in touch, ridden along 2f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong to be nearest at finish
prominent, hung right entering straight, ridden and ran on well under pressure final furlong
slow into stride, ridden along in rear but stayed on to be nearest the finish
in touch on inside, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
held up, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
in touch on wide outside, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
led, headed after a furlong, in touch, led again 2f out, headed 1f out, soon one paced
prominent till ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden and effort over 2f out but soon one paced
always behind
This represents an excellent chance for Fangorn Forest to gain a win; best of the rest might prove to be Psycho Cat and Countrywide Belle. Quite simply, the selection was an unlucky loser last time, flying at the finish at Lingfield after making a slow start. He looks well-weighted in this claimer, given that we take the view that he will have no problems on his first try at this longer trip. Psycho Cat was four lengths behind him at Lingfield and is just two pounds better off at the weights, yet she could well prove to be best of the rest. Mystified looks held on that form, while Countrywide Belle was just a short head behind Psycho Cat over course and distance last time, but is a pound worse off today. Overall, the others have a bit to prove on today's terms, although Wee Charlie Castle, who has lost his way since a first-time-visored win at Salisbury in August, would hold a chance if getting back to that Turf form, although the visor is left off today. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Fangorn Forest.
Bigalo's Banjo 4-1 (9-0) Dwelt, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden, no impression final 2f, 6th of 14, 13l behind Opal Warrior (8-9) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn aut (7) fbs.
George's Flyer (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 12l behind Moi Aussi (9-1) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Mystified (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, soon driven, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Ruffie (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (5) pol.
Fangorn Forest (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (8-6) Dwelt, held up well in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Casablanca Minx (7-13) at Lingfield 7f 2yo clm (5) pol in Nov.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 23l behind Psycho Cat (9-6) at Southwell 6f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Psycho Cat 7-2jt-fav (8-13) Behind, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance when hung badly right inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Ruffie (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (5) pol.
Countrywide Belle 11-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, led well over 1f out, headed final strides, 3rd of 13, nk behind Ruffie (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (5) pol.
Secret Tender (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Ms Rainbow Runner (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f 2yo mdn clm (7) pol.
