in touch until weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on, not clear run inside final furlong
chased leaders until weakened over 3f out
in touch, led 2f out, soon ridden, narrowly headed entering final furlong, rallied gamely, no extra near finish
tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out switched left over 1f out, stayed on
prominent, led over 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to take narrow advantage entering final furlong, driven out
always behind, tailed off
mid-division until weakened over 3f out
prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakening when not much room entering final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
promient until ran wide on bend after 3f, always behind thereafter
in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace
led until over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off
A race very much for the video and LARKS LAD is our idea of the most likely winner though Red Harbour and Sergeant Harper make plenty of appeal. Plenty was clearly anticipated of Larks Lad when he made his debut at Newbury. With Nicky Henderson's yard in such good form, if the market is positive, we'll be happy to row in with the punters. Red Harbour has winning form around here and course form counts for plenty. Pearlysteps just behind with Bushwhacker finishing third on that occasion. Seargeant Harper hails from an unfashionable yard but he was well fancied at Chepstow last time out and he won it in the style of a very decent horse. Ballybach represents a yard not normally expected to have first time out winners but that statistic seems to have been somewhat broken in the last few months. Springfield Raki has had more experience than most though this is a leap up in grade. Alasi ran very green on debut and made headway up the Doncaster run-in without threatening the judge. Henrietta Knight's yard are in much better form than what they were so don't rule out Miller's Dawn from leaving behind a lamentable last run. The market will tell us plenty but without reference to it, Larks Lad gets the nod.
Azulada Bay (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Prominent until weakened over 5f out, 9th of 14, 36l behind Strokestown (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Ballybach (IRE) Bach gelding out of Croom River.
Borderhopper 50-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, every chance approaching 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Dare Me (11-8) at Haydock 2m nhf (3) gs in Nov.
Bushwacker (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4f out, chased leaders over 1f out, took 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Red Harbour (11-0) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd in Nov.
Larks Lad (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4f out, every chance 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 18, 8l behind Henry King (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Miller's Dawn 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 17th of 18, 46l behind Henry King (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Pearlysteps 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leader throughout, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on no extra, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Red Harbour (11-0) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd in Nov.
Red Harbour (IRE) 4-1co-fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd in Nov beating Pearlysteps (11-0) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Rock of Dubai (IRE) Alderbrook gelding out of Nut Eile.
Search For Gold (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, chased winner 3f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Goodwill Phil (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gf in May.
Sergeant Harper (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway 10f out, ridden from over 4f out, led 2f out, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov beating Cherry Flora (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Springfield Raki 4-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead 1f out, won at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Nov beating Persian Gates (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Topping The Bill 100-1 (10-11) 14th of 17, 37l behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs.
Alasi 25-1 (10-12) Ran green, in rear, stayed on final 2f, switched right approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 20, 14l behind Madame Mado (10-12) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Wheeling Bahhare mare out of Winning Pearl.
