tracked leader, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out
soon chasing winner, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place and outpaced over 4f out, stayed on again from over 1f out
in touch, slightly hampered after 1f and lost place, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, ridden 2f out, clear approaching 1f out
towards rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, hung left under pressure from over 1f out, kept on
led for 1, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear
slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor
Recent winner Situla gets the vote here ahead of Alittlebitleft and Madam Gaffer. The last-named won a seller convincingly on his penultimate start, however this is tougher today and whilst Brian Meehan has his two-year-olds in fine fettle, he could struggle today. Situla made all to win last time out for her trainer Harry Dunlop, giving him his first win, and she could well be good enough to follow up today. With proven form on the surface, the filly could attempt to make all again, and whilst this will be harder from a wider draw, she could prove hard to catch. Alittlebitleft has been steadily improving for the consistently busy Richard Hannon, however he has surely had enough chances and could only be playing for place money once more. Of the rest, Bert's Memory has had enough chances and can be passed over, whilst Give Evidence will have to improve markedly on previous efforts to figure today. In what is an interesting nursery, Situla gets the vote to give her young trainer another winner.
Hephaestus 16-1 (9-7) In rear, not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mac Gille Eoin (9-6) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Situla (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn fll aut (6) pol beating Mankanja (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Give Evidence 10-3 (9-3) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Mafeking (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) pol.
Raquel White 15-2 (9-0) Led after 2f, ridden when headed 1f out, soon faded, 4th of 12, 2l behind Gull Wing (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Oct.
Alittlebitleft (IRE) 2-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left from well over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Love Dubai (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Madam Gaffer 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Lake Pontchartrain (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Bert's Memory 9-2 (8-4) Took keen hold to lead after 2f, hampered when headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Feeling Wonderful (8-4) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Oct.
Putra Laju (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Raced keenly in touch, lost place over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Majestic Cheer (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol.
