held up, headway halfway, outpaced over 4f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led 1f out, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong
held up and keen, weakened over 5f out
held up and pulled hard, joined leader after 3f, ran wide on bend after 4f, virtually pulled up halfway
in touch, lost place halfway
held up mid-division, headway to go prominent 7f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong
behind, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 5f out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, driven 7f out, soon struggling
Character Building has the experience to overcome potentially useful newcomers Benny The Piler and Red Rain, with Tahaddi Turtle worth a mention as well. Character Building was sent off as favourite on his Sedgefield bow but could only finish third, and was backed to get the losses back at Catterick at the end of November. He ran well enough but failed to cope with According To Pete who proved good enough to defy a penalty. Those two outings should have taught him plenty though, and John Quinn's charge is likely to be strongly fancied again. Benny The Piler is well regarded at home and is seen a nice long-term prospect, but it would not surprise us if he went close on his debut. Red Rain makes the trip over from Ireland, and as she is related to useful Flat handicapper James Caird, she may well reveal a bit of speed herself. The market should tell if she is fancied, while of the rest, Tahaddi Turtle is worth a mention at least. He stayed on well on heavy ground on his Wetherby debut and could be placed. For the winner we return to Character Building.
Benny The Piler (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of an unraced mare.
Character Building (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Chased leader, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 16, 4l behind According To Pete (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Mountain Mix 6-1 (11-0) Held up, effort halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 16, 38l behind Mighty Man (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gs in May '04.
Overnight 66-1 (10-11) Raced keenly in touch, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, well behind Custom Design (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Rab Cee 66-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened from halfway, lost touch over 6f out, last of 10, well behind Winter Star (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (H) gf in Dec.
Scarlet Cloak (USA) 50-1 (10-13) Behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 16, 27l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Stolen Moments (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, no impression after, 7th of 16, 21l behind According To Pete (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Windygate (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of 2m winner Moscow Maid.
Ansa The Question Overbury filly out of a maiden pointer.
Classy Chav (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 14l behind Programme Girl (10-5) at Ayr 1m 6f nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Open de L'Isle (FR) Funny Baby gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Moustique de L'Isle.
Tahaddi Turtle (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced halfway, never on terms, 4th of 12, 30l behind Alfie Flits (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 6f nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Red Rain (IRE) General Monash filly, half-sister to flat winners Countrywide Girl and James Caird.
