in touch, headway between horses approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on
slowly away, badly hampered and turned sideways soon after start, took no part
in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
close up, ridden and no impression over 1f out, driven and ran on towards finish
close up, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, keen held up towards rear, never on terms
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
ducked right shortly after leaving stalls and unseated rider
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, faded final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
Saucy Spirit, Santorini and Tailwind are all totally unexposed but the former and the latter are making belated reappearances. Kenny The Captain may be back in the handicapper's grip but Menai was impressive at Windsor eight days ago and is preferred to the other penalised runner Appleberry. Harwoods Volante and Rio Ronaldo wouldn't be out of this and Vimy Ridge certainly wouldn't be winning out of turn but HOPE COVE has twice gone close off this mark recently so gets the nod as he's been very consistent this year, despite not winning.
Harwoods Volante (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Upstaging (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Rio Ronaldo (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, no real impression when hung right inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Shamshon (9-5) at Ascot 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Merdon Castle (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Dougan (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Kenny The Captain (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Naggers (9-4) at Ayr 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Hope Cove 17-2 (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 9, 1l behind Pettochside (8-11) at Salisbury 6f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Menai (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led 2f out, clear over 1f out, pushed along and ran on strongly, easily, won at Windsor 6f hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Equistar (9-6) by 4l, 12 ran.
Quick Look 10-1 (8-5) Held up, hampered and went right approaching 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Hakam (8-7) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Saucy Spirit 9-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, soon edged right and ran green, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Chelmsford City 6f mdn fll stks (5) pol in Oct beating Gale Song (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tailwind 3-10fav (9-5) Made all, clear over 1f out, driven out final furlong, pressed towards finish, held on, won at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Mazzini (9-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Borough Boy (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Upstaging (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Santorini (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, headway on outside, chasing leaders over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead well inside final furlong, won at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Oct beating Bella's Venture (9-0) by 1l, 16 ran.
Vimy Ridge 7-2jfav (9-6) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, just held close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind One Boy (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Gilmer (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Keen led 1f, prominent, led again 2f out, ridden out, won at Hamilton 6f stks (6) hvy in Sep beating In My Place (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Diamond Lady 11-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 1 3/4l behind New Road Side (8-12) at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Appleberry (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Silken Skies (9-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
