towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway on inner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, led after 1f, headed well over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, gradually weakened
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
dwelt, always rear division
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
dwelt, soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, gradually weakened
towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
led, headed after 1f, remained in touch, regained lead well over 2f out, ran on final furlong
never better than mid-division
It is not often that Paul Cole has a runner in an all-weather seller so Circus Polka has to be respected in this contest, however we will take a chance with Kevin Ryan's El Coto, Namibian Pink is another worthy of respect. El Coto's last success came in a claimer at Hamilton back in August. He has been running well since in similar company and handicaps and should be capable of going close in this grade. Circus Polka comes out best here on official ratings, despite running poorly so far this season. He hit form this time last year and so he has to be rated a big danger. Namibian Pink is from a yard that has to be respected in this grade and she has shown plenty of ability in three better races. Local Poet and Middleton Grey are two others in with a squeak on their best form, but we return to El Coto as the more likely winner.
Blythe Spirit 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Silver Hotspur (8-13) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Climate (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Birkside (9-11) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
El Coto 9-4fav (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 7l behind Defi (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m clm (6) gd.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, headway to lead over 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, gradually weakened, 5th of 14, 6l behind Defi (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m clm (6) gd.
Dance Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Led, headed over 6f out, chased leader until ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Kassuta (7-12) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) gs in Oct.
Local Poet 16-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Councellor (9-3) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Middleton Grey 18-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 6l behind Samuel Charles (9-0) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Oct.
Moonstreaker 10-1 (9-0) Held up, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 18l behind Little Bob (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy.
Shannon Arms (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 6, 21l behind Treetops Hotel (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Jun.
Shifty 33-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon held, 7th of 9, 7l behind Abbondanza (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Swiper Hill (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Alway in rear, 10th of 13, 5l behind Royal Embrace (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Circus Polka (USA) 8-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly, last of 11, 8l behind Birkside (9-11) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Namibian Pink (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden along over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 28l behind Handset (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.