steadied in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon faded
in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on well
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
Smokey Rye has been running creditably on the Polytrack of late and returns to turf on a fair mark but he has been campaigned in claimers most recently so may find this too tough off his current mark and a better bet looks to be ASTRODONNA, who gets the vote over Desert Kiss. Walter Swinburn's filly has shown improved form in her last two starts, having been well held on her debut as a juvenile, and she has to be considered first time up as a three-year-old on her handicap debut. The daughter of Cape Cross does not look to be particularly well treated for her first start in this grade though so may again have to settle for minor honours. James Fanshawe's Alsace Lorraine is another making her first start in a handicap today on her first outing of the campaign and she too has to be considered. Chris Wall's Charlevoix disappointed on her final start as a two-year-old but may do better this season, while Miss Bootylishes won first time out as a juvenile but did not progress from that in 13 subsequent starts and may now be best watched. Preference then is for Astrodonna, who has also had plenty of experience but held his form well last term and comes from the Mark Tompkins stable that has started the new season in decent form. She may be worth chancing on her reappearance off what seems a fair mark.
Alsace Lorraine (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 14l behind Jaadull (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Charlevoix (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, hampered 3f out, not a danger after, 11th of 14, 8l behind Shanzu (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sep.
Smokey Rye 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, driven along 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 10l behind Born Tobouggie (8-12) at Kempton 1m fll lst stks (1) pol.
Astrodonna 4-1fav (8-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 6l behind Quest For Success (8-9) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Desert Kiss 12-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Lease Of Life (9-3) at Windsor 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Oct.
Miss Bootylishes 33-1 (8-8) Chased leaders until weakened quickly over 2f out, 10th of 11, 24l behind Dr Livingstone (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sep.
