tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, kept on, no extra towards finish
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, quickened up over 1f out, ran on gamely
towards rear, effort over 2f out, kept on, not reached leading pair
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Hits Only Jude gets the confident vote here with Newgate and Desert Lover rating the main dangers. The selection won well on his first start of the season when beating Triculo by 10 lengths, granted he has a penalty for that win but he still looks ahead of the handicapper and he will be hard to beat. Newgate rates the main danger on his latest third behind Cape Velvet in a maiden but he looks to have plenty of weigh for what he has actually achieved for this his first start in a handicap and is taken on with this in mind. Desert Lover is another that could go well on his latest second behind Stargazy but that was a classified event and this looks tougher. Of the remainder Mineral Rights may need the run after an 117 day break and for the winner we return to Hits Only Jude.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 4-1fav (8-11) Chased leader over 4f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear, won at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs beating Trinculo (9-0) by 10l, 13 ran.
Newgate (UAE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Cape Velvet (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.
Mineral Rights (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Vintage (8-12) at W'hampton 6f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Chasing Memories (IRE) 5-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Machinate (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) std.
Desert Lover (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Stargazy (8-7) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.