in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden, headway well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
always prominent, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, pushed out inside final furlong
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, effort on outside over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, ridden 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
chased leader, until ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
in rear, ridden along over 3f out, never nearer
towards rear, effort 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
This very competitive handicap can go to Celtique, with Consonant and Dragon Slayer two of many dangers. Sir Michael Stoute eventually got a win out of Celtique when she landed a maiden over course and distance. She has changed hands and is now with Michael Wigham, Jamie Spencer takes the mount and a follow up could be on the cards. Dragon Slayer won two races on the turf in the summer and wasn't disgraced behind Shankly Bond here recently, he should be in the shake up this afternoon. Consonant appeared to go off the boil until his last outing when an excellent second to Western Roots. With further progression he should go very close indeed. Recent winner Ronsard may do best of the others, but Celtique looks on a fair mark and can make it back to back victories.
Celtique 2-1fav (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and came wide to challenge over 2f out, hung left and led 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct beating Rock Chick (8-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
Consonant (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Western Roots (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Led 1f, chased leader, led again 2f out, headed 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Shankly Bond (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 12, 11l behind General Feeling (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Poppys Footprint (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up, some headway when short of room over 1f out, never near leaders, 8th of 12, 5l behind Rampage (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Monkstown Road 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, headway and edged right approaching final furlong, ran on to lead post, won at Leicester 7f sll hcp (6) gf in Oct beating Stamford Blue (9-0) by a nk, 16 ran.
African Sahara (USA) 10-3fav (8-9) Held up, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 11, 5l behind Western Roots (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Ronsard (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Bijou Dan (9-3) by a nk, 13 ran.
