with leader, led 5th, driven clear between last 2, comfortably
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
in touch, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms
led, headed 5th, chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 4 out
mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no extra flat, lost 2nd near finish
behind, ridden 3 out, never able to challenge
Strangely, a fairly modest end to an excellent card and maybe Quarrymount can land the spoils; his biggest dangers are seen as Kerry's Blade and Palace Walk. The selection, a Newmarket 14 furlong Flat winner from a mark of 70, was quite highly-tried over hurdles last year but returned for the season with a reasonable pipe-opener at Lingfield. Word has it that he had undergone an operation before that and now, with his pipes having been cleared, he ought to run well. Palace Walk was found out at Cheltenham last time, but this is more his level and, along with Flaming Heck, who holds claims based on his narrow Ayr defeat last time - his first run for eight months - will ensure a good pace to the race. Kerry's Blade will need to be held up for longer than he was at Cheltenham last time, but certainly commands respect, while Sergio Coimbra put in an improved effort last time and, arguably, is well weighted on that. Bear him in mind and watch the betting also, not least with regard to Irish import Flying Jody but, overall, we are happy to side with Quarrymount.
Vingis Park (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 8th, weakening when mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Spirit of New York (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (D) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Reem Two 50-1 (9-9) Behind, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 13, 14l behind Itsmyboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Oct.
Flying Jody (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 8th, dropped to 3rd from 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before next, 6th of 16, 13l behind Rooftop Protest (11-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Aug.
Sergio Coimbra (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 3f out, rallied to chase winner between last 2, every chance flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Key To The Kingdom (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Oct.
Quarrymount 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed soon after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 16, 15l behind Mikado Melody (10-12) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Oct.
Palace Walk (FR) 25-1 (10-12) In touch in chasing group, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 29l behind Fair Along (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs.
Flaming Heck 33-1 (10-11) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, shd behind Aston Lad (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
Zoltano (GER) 12-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 20l behind Jack Martin (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy in Mar '04.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 5l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Qualitair Pleasure 15-2 (11-11) Headway towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leader after 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Penric (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) gf in Oct.
