tracked leaders, onepace from over 1f out
slowly away, in rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, stayed on from over 1f out
pushed along towards rear, chased leaders over 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
made all, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden stayed on well
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
With Major Lawrence proving to be frustrating this looks best left to MIDNIGHT STRIDER who can get the better of the Noseda horse with Levitation best of the rest. Our selection looks the part on breeding and showed distinct promise on his racecourse introduction when a fast-finishing second over seven furlongs here. With that experience in what was a better race under the belt and today's extra distance sure to suit the colt looks set to go one better for handler Tom Dascombe. Major Lawrence clearly has enough ability to land a modest contest but has so far failed to do so in five attempts, all of which came over shorter trips, and this step up to beyond a mile isn't certain to suit. Even so this is a particularly weak contest and if Shane Kelly's mount sees out the distance he looks set to take a hand in the finish. Levitation is second best of those with official ratings and if the filly can repeat her fourth here last time she would have solid each-way claims whilst Barbarian is an exposed sort whose best form would entitle him to consideration. Lindy Hop struggled in handicap company last time but may improve for the change of surfaces here although improvement is certainly needed. Hold The Star has had plenty of chances and although she's gone close here in the past the percentage play looks to be to oppose her and more of a threat might emerge from either of the newcomers Morning Spring and, in particular, Barony, although in both cases strong market support would be needed before they seriously entered calculations. In a weak contest the claims of Midnight Strider are obvious and he's awarded the vote.
Barbarian 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, short of room and lost place 3f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon chased winner, unable to quicken, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Woolfall Sovereign (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Barony (IRE) Swift Gulliver gelding out of Musical Flyer.
Latin Connection (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Always behind, last of 8, 23l behind Maria Nunziata (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Major Lawrence (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, one pace final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Zegna (9-3) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Midnight Strider (IRE) 17-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, well outpaced in rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on to chase winner well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Watch Amigo (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Venture Capitalist 10-1 (9-3) Switched left and driven from start, held up in last pair, ridden and struggling over 3f out, 7th of 9, 36l behind Starburst (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Arch Event 33-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 12th of 13, 17l behind Dancing Welcome (8-13) at Lingfield 7f Apprentice Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) pol in Nov.
Morning Spring 66-1 (10-6) Held up, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, 16th of 17, well behind Thunderstorm (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Hold The Star 66-1 (8-8) Behind, headway towards outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 4l behind Watch Amigo (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Levitation (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, every chance well over 1f out, soon hard ridden, kept on under pressure, 4th of 13, 2l behind Heathyards Junior (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol.
Lindy Hop (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Hit The Switch (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Chicamia 66-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 13, 7l behind Woolfall Sovereign (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (5) pol.
