held up, effort when not much room over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, one pace
held up, smooth headway 2f out, soon ridden, led final furlong, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, one pace final furlong
held up and keen, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed final furlong, every chance inside final furlong, held near finish
tracked leaders and keen, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
with leaders, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
in touch and raced keen, ridden over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, weakened over 1f out
led to halfway, weakened over 1f out
A competitive Nursery can go to Aye Aye Digby ahead of Excitement, Floristry and Mazaaya. Henry Candy's son of Captain Rio comes here on the back of a fair third at Sandown when he just couldn't go the pace of some of his rivals late on. Now back on softer ground (win came on good-soft), he can record another win. There are obviously plenty of viable options, and Striking Spirit is just one. Barry Hills does well at the track and having scored at Haydock last time out, his progressive charge should go well. Mazaaya won well on debut but this different ground and shorter trip raises some questions, whilst Floristry sauntered to victory when last seen but that was a poor race and he needs to prove himself on softer ground. Upton Grey is proven on this ground and must be respected, although he didn't quite have the finishing kick last time out and may need to step up on that effort. Love Valentine could be of some interest from his featherweight but has plenty to find, whilst Writingonthewall seems to be steadily improving. Artistic License drops in trip and more importantly in class so should go well at a bigger price, however Aye Aye Digby is fancied to return to winning ways.
Guertino (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind Mr Keppel (8-3) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Floristry 2-9fav (9-0) Chased leaders, led going well inside final 2f, soon clear, easily, won at Bath 6f 2yo mdn (5) frm in Sept beating Toasted Special (9-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Upton Grey (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway halfway, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, soon headed, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, nk behind Cape Vale (9-1) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sept.
Aye Aye Digby (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Prominent on outer, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong and lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Billion Dollar Kid (9-2) at Sandown 7f nov stk (3) gf in Sept.
Rubirosa (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on strongly towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Cape Vale (9-1) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sept.
Striking Spirit 11-10fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led towards finish, won at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept beating Beacon Lodge (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Excitement (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at York 5f 2yo mdn auc (4) gf in Sept beating Tugalu (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mazaaya (USA) 9-1 (8-12) Prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on to lead post, won at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept beating Tiger Dream (9-3) by a shd, 11 ran.
Writingonthewall (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right and led final furlong, stayed on, won at Thirsk 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Sept beating Actabou (9-3) by a nk, 13 ran.
Artistic License (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Behind, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 22, 6l behind Lady Rangali (8-2) at Ascot 6f 2yo flls auc (2) gd in Sept.
Love Valentine (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leader, led inside final 3f, driven and stayed on final furlong, held on, all out, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn fll aut (6) pol in Sept beating La Columbina (9-0) by a shd, 13 ran.
Lieutenant Pigeon 9-1 (8-7) In touch on outer, outpaced from halfway, 9th of 10, 14l behind Look Busy (8-4) at Thirsk 5f 2yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Border Defence (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 7l behind Tobar Suil Lady (8-1) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol.
