tracked leading pair, carried wide into straight, driven to lead 1f out, held on gamely, all out
led, driven along from 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, soon tracked leader, ridden and hung right bend 2f out, driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up last, niggled along halfway, closing when carried wide into strike, went 2nd final 100 yards, closed towards finish, just failed
Cry Presto can make the most of the weight that he receives from his three rivals to score, with the lightly-raced Book Of Facts one to note for the future. Richard Hannon always places his all-weather runners to good effect, and hopefully will get to the bottom of Cry Presto who failed to open his account in six starts on Turf. However, he did meet useful opponents on more than one occasion, including when fourth to Teslin at Newbury in September, and a reproduction of that form on his Polytrack bow might be good enough, especially as he carries bottom-weight and will have the able assistance of Eddie Ahern. Book Of Facts got the better of a protracted battle with Bergonzi to open his account at just the second time of asking at Wolverhampton 17-days ago, and will be expected to improve again, while both Salient and Solid Rock have winning form and were both beaten favourites last time. This has the makings of a tight contest despite there only being the four runners, with preference for Cry Presto.
Solid Rock (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out to go 3rd, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Cool Box (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp (3) pol.
Salient 5-6fav (9-3) In touch, ridden 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, soon switched right to challenge, short of room close home, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Fares (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo stk (3) pol.
Book of Facts (FR) 20-1 (9-0) Held up, headway to lead 2f out, ran on gamely, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol beating Bergonzi (9-3) by a shd, 9 ran.
Cry Presto (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge and effort 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out, last of 11, 26l behind Go On Be A Tiger (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.