led early, prominent, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong
in rear, lost touch over 4f out
held up in touch in rear, ridden over 4f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace
ridden leaving stalls and soon led, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden and lost place over 4f out, well held from over 3f out
tracked leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, carried head high over 1f out, soon beaten
soon led, headed 3f out, beaten over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
took keen hold, prominent, headed 3f out, ridden over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on
An intriguing maiden and a tough one to call. One Pursuit shaped well on his recent racecourse debut at Wolverhampton and is worthy of consideration, but Unex Goya disappointed at the same track last time though did go close on his soft ground debut in October. Barnum's dam was a Listed winner over a mile and he's worth noting on his debut, along with fellow newcomer J R Hartley who is a half-brother to three winners. HERMES was runner-up to Escholido, finishing clear of the rest, on soft ground at Windsor on his debut in October, however, and the Observatory colt gets the vote to go one better here.
Ay Tay Tate (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Chased winner, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Ya Hafed (8-6) at Southwell 1m mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Jan.
Jack's Rocket 66-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 21l behind Flynn's Boy (8-10) at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) fbs.
Jo Boy 4-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Diplomatic (9-13) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Carrside Lady Zaha mare out of Bolham Lady.
Barnum (USA) Distorted Humor colt out of Shady Reflection.
Hermes 12-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Escholido (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
J R Hartley Refuse To Bend gelding out of Flyfisher.
One Pursuit (IRE) 22-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up in 4th, headway to go 2nd over 2f out, soon pressing winner, hung left over 1f out, unable to quicken when losing 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Ekasin (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Unex Goya (IRE) 6-4fav (8-10) In touch, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 11, 5l behind Islesman (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.