tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on towards finish
slowly into stride, keen in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
keen tracked winner until ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
very slowly away, headway halfway, ridden to press winner over 2f out when hung left, every chance until inside final furlong
keen in touch, weakened over 1f out
keen in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
This looks competitive on paper but it could pay to concentrate on the two runners with recent form. Snooky went close to following-up her maiden win at Southwell when third at Pontefract a fortnight ago. But fast ground could prove a problem for her and SHOWBOATING is just preferred. The latter finished best of the rest when the front-running King Of Eden stole a march on the field over 7f at Newcastle last week. Alan McCabe's charge is worth another try over today's distance and can come out best. Shamdarley makes most appeal of those returning to action on his third at Newmarket in September and November's Doncaster runner-up, Great Expectations, also has a shout ahead of the less exposed Macchiara.
Haylaman (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Dick Doughtywylie (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f stks 0-85 (3) gd in Sep.
Barwick 5-1 (9-5) Dwelt towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Shena's Dream (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Shamdarley (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division far side, headway over 2f out, every chance when hung left over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 28, 2 1/2l behind Henry Allingham (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Showboating (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up, took keen hold, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind King Of Eden (9-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Macchiara 6-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, lost 3rd place towards finish, no extra, 4th of 7, 3l behind Subtle Knife (8-11) at Kempton 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Great Expectations 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, smooth headway 3f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance when carried left inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 19, nk behind Desert Creek (9-1) at Doncaster 7f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Nov.
Snooky 11-4fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd final 100 yards, nearest finish, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Dolphin Rock (9-6) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.