tracked leader until entering final 2f, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
raced wide close up, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed and no extra inside final furlong
raced wide in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, in touch towards rear, not clear run entering final 2f, ridden and headway entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway inside final furlong, led towards finish
keen led, pushed along and edged right 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
It's Wonderful never threatened the winner when second over the minimum trip at Wolverhampton last time. He should still have the measure of Mick's Spirit and Bridgetown on these terms but the less exposed DESERT LIME makes most appeal. The latter ran out of steam in the closing stages when beaten a length at Newcastle on her reappearance and debut for George Boughey’s yard and can get off the mark over this shorter trip with William Buick taking over the reins.
Bernard Spierpoint 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Howzak (10-1) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Bridgetown 6-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on well inside last, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Donizetti (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Mick's Spirit 14-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Dapper Man (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Patontheback (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 7l behind Seixas (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Sennen 100-1 (9-3) Dipping down when gates opened, towards rear, switched right when hanging left over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Seixas (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Desert Lime 8-11fav (9-0) Raced handy, keen, ridden 2f out, took lead 1f out, stayed on well, headed 100 yards out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Cover Name (9-0) at Newcastle 7f stks (6) pol in Nov.
It's Wonderful (FR) 25-1 (9-0) Keen in midfield, pushed before 2f out, 3rd when ridden before final furlong, kept on well behind easy winner, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Seixas (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (5) pol in Oct.