led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened
always in rear
raced wide in touch, short lived effort over 2f out
took keen hold, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, headway on bit entering final 2f, joined winner inside final furlong, ridden and found nil
dwelt towards rear, wide and headway entering final furlong, ridden and kept on one pace
keen, always in rear
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, joined inside final furlong, ran on gamely
Mark Walford's horses are going well and BIT OF A QUIRKE, who has now finished runner-up in four of his last five starts at this grade, looks certain to get competitive again so gets the nod. Ravenhoe won over slightly shorter here in September but has had 15 starts without winning since and is still 1lb higher. Strummer won a Class 6 handicap at Wolverhampton in October and has been beaten twice subsequently at that lowly level but Lopita de Vega would have a chance at his best though an absence since July is a concern. Bahamian C is just about this class but hardly ever wins.
Ravenhoe (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Disputed lead 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and 2nd briefly over 1f out, 3rd and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Deep Challenger (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
All You (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, never on terms, 11th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Billy Roberts (9-6) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Correggio 66-1 (11-0) In rear, when stumbled and unseated rider 3rd, at Wetherby 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Lopito de Vega (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched right, faded final furlong, 4th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Toga Tiger (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Arithmetic (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, never involved, 13th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Rockwood (9-5) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Bahamian C 10-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, never involved, 19th of 20, 22 1/2l behind Boycie (9-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Strummer (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Dwelt in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Mazaaher (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Bling King 12-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, headway and switched right over 1f out, soon ridden and stayed on steadily inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Cosmic Ray (8-8) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Clayton Hall (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Gulf Of Poets (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Bit Of A Quirke 14-1 (8-7) Raced keenly, tracked leader until led 7f out and maintained steady pace, quickened and pushed clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Gulf Of Poets (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
