went right, steadied start, took keen hold, held up, smooth headway on bit over 2f out, led going well over 1f out, soon pushed clear
slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, soon pushed along, kept on into 3rd final 100 yards, not pace to trouble front pair
made most to over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
close-up, pushed along halfway, ridden to chase leaders just over 2f out until weakened inside final furlong
held up behind leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened under pressure over 2f out
pulled hard, close up behind leaders, pushed along 3f out, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, outpaced, no chance with winner final furlong, kept on well for clear 2nd
took keen hold, close up behind leaders, driven along 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden, lost touch over 4f out
held up, pushed along, headway over 2f out, ridden, hung left, no impression inside final furling
chased leader until ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
KING OF DEFENSE dropped a significant hint his turn isn¿t too far away when he finished second at Lingfield earlier this month; He is taken to build on that effort and fend off the challenges from Big Boom, Registrar and Dove Mews. The last named has been frustrating to follow, though. Registrar is a previous course and distance winner that obviously loves the sea air. His trainer, Christine Dunnett, does well at this course and her charge is a sure-fire candidate to help make this a good test. Having won at Leicester during the summer, Big Boom will no doubt have his supporters. He does need to prove he gets the extra furlong, though. Therefore, we turn to King Of Defence, who seems ideally suited by this intermediate trip and, as he is likely to be seen to better effect now there is some give underfoot, this looks like the right time to side with this seven furlong specialist.
Azure Mist 16-1 (8-3) Held up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 13l behind Ancient Cross (9-1) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Bermondsey Girl 7-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, always behind, 11th of 12, 8l behind Peper Harow (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Vogarth 22-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, led 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind West End Lad (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcap (6) fbs in Jan.
Soul Sista (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Always behind, 10th of 13, 9l behind Ishe Mac (9-3) at Thirsk 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Margarita (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Raced keenly in mid-division, effort entering final 3f, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 10l behind Sapphire Prince (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (5) gf.
Bob Stock (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Raced centre, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 19, 12l behind Open Sesame (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Many Welcomes 9-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Captain Flasheart (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Registrar 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Vertigo On Course (8-12) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Time To Play 40-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden halfway, soon behind, 7th of 8, 23l behind More Time Tim (9-0) at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Optical Illusion (USA) 9-2fav (9-2) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Mayoman (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Contemplate 100-1 (8-12) Led, edged right and headed just over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Euston Square (9-3) at Leicester 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Dove Mews 8-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Steelcut (8-10) at Kempton 6f clm stks 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
Big Boom Evensfav (9-5) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Capone (9-11) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Fine Art Collector (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 10, 9l behind Mr Rainbow (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
King of Defence 9-2 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, nk behind Finnegan Mccool (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Good Humoured 9-2 (8-12) With leaders, pushed along and every chance halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 25l behind Realt Na Mara (9-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug.
