prominent over 3f out, 3rd entering straight, in lead inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on
towards rear and pushed along over 3f out, 8th entering straight, never dangerous
with leader, 2nd entering straight, weakened 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear over 3f out, 9th entering straight, ran on inside final furlong
in rear over 3f out, 11th entering straight, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead post
prominent over 3f out, 4th entering straight, soon not clear run, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
in touch over 3f out, 5th entering straight, no extra towards finish
mid-division over 3f out, headway 2f out, 6th entering straight, led well inside final furlong, headed post
slowly into stride, pulled up 5f out
mid-division over 3f out and ridden, 7th and weakening entering straight
led, still in front entering straight, weakened 1f out
held up over 3f out, 10th entering straight, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
The conclusion to this evening's card should chiefly concern MEGALO MANIAC and Piccolo Diamante and the former is given the nod. Richard Fahey's gelding is 1lb better off with his chief rival here after succumbing by just a head at Kempton over this same trip last time. He acts well on both artificial surfaces, so that is of no concern, and he has a significantly better draw, which will hopefully enable him to dominate as he had done when winning twice at Southwell. The first-time visor should also help this slightly quirky customer keep his mind on the job and we will side with him. Clearly there should be little between the pair again at the weights, though Piccolo Diamante is not quite as consistent and also has to come from somewhere just off the M6 to win this, so we will oppose him tonight. Curly Brown has shown little so far and may do so again here, but the yard likes to have a punt, this is his first try in a handicap and he has a very lowly mark, so with headgear applied we'd advise a check on the market. Jilly Why has plummeted in the ratings in a short space of time and any return to the sort of form she showed in the spring would give her a clear chance, and even failing that recent efforts give her frame claims. Sion Hill and Tri Chara have both had good days here and might again get competitive from these sort of marks but Megalo Maniac can gain further reward for his consistency here.
Megalo Maniac 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, hard pressed over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, hd behind Piccolo Diamante (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Jilly Why (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Went left start, outpaced after 2f, soon driven along, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind The Geester (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs.
Sion Hill (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) With leader, led 7f out, hung right and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 3l behind Plush (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Piccolo Diamante (USA) 9-1 (8-13) Behind mid-division, headway to press leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead narrowly well inside final furlong, all out, won at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol beating Megalo Maniac (9-2) by a hd, 13 ran.
Guildenstern (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 11, 2l behind Convallaria (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Tri Chara (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway on outside over 3f out, not clear run well over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 12l behind Plush (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Coughlans Locke (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Charming Escort (9-3) at Kempton 1m stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Harrison's Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, driven and one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Namu (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Curly Brown 66-1 (9-3) Dwelt and was soon mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 14l behind Taqdeyr (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn (5) fbs.
Rightcar Lewis 50-1 (8-6) Always in rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 8l behind River Thames (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Daddy Cool 66-1 (8-10) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 11l behind Fizzlephut (8-9) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Franksalot (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 3l behind The Hoofer (8-13) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
