tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened 2 out
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, rallied after next, stayed on into 2nd after last, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, led before 2 out, ran on strongly
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon weakened
behind, mistake 5th, weakened next, soon completely tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
led until approaching 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, weakened 6th, soon tailed off
HIGGS made a very promising reappearance in a conditionals’ race at Exeter last week. David Bass takes over the reins here and Richard Newland’s gelding should be winning this if back to his best. Attention Seaker led for a long way at Hexham earlier in the month and can stay on into a place here but Ask Paddington has never encountered going this soft. Frightened Rabbit has been in decent form on the Flat since winning at Cartmel in July while Dubh Des Champs was progressive around this time last year and remains unexposed.
Higgs (IRE) 6-5fav (11-10) Chased leader until 5th, ridden after 3 out, held last, kept on, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Back On The Lash (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Black Key 11-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, lost place 3 out, well beaten next, 7th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Minella Mojo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Ask Paddington (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Led until before 3 out, soon lost 2nd, 3rd and well held when blundered and weakened last, 6th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Solo Saxophone (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Sleepy Haven (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, ridden before 3 out, plugged on from next, no impression, 4th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Goldencard (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Attention Seaker 12-1 (11-0) Led to 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Taxmeifyoucan (11-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Bestiarius (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Behind, some headway before omitted 3 out, no impression, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 32 3/4l behind Grey Diamond (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp (4) hvy in Sep.
Mahler Supreme (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 5th, headway on outside 3 out, went left last and slightly hampered last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 24l behind Thelongwayaround (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Frightened Rabbit (USA) 15-2 (8-10) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, just held towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Iconic Code (9-11) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Dubh Des Champs (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Border Victor (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
