mid-division, weakened over 2f out
in touch, weakened over 1f out
pushed along towards rear, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out soon weakened
soon behind, never dangerous
mid-division weakened over 1f out
slowly away, always behind
with winner, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
always towards rear
slowly away, always behind
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
Several hold chances here and Dark Champion is only a tentative selection over Dizzy In The Head, Times Review and Catch The Cat. The last named is a speedy type on his day and has a cracking draw in stall one. His 7lb claimer eases the burden of top weight and he can gain a prominent position as things unfold. Times Review will have to come from wider on the track but will not be inconvenienced if they stay towards the stands side. Any track bias will be evident by this time and he is one to monitor closely in the betting. Dizzy In The Head has tumbled in the ratings and looks well treated for a race like this. However, like a few of the rest, he does not always go through with his effort and he is not one to trust implicitly. Admittedly, the same can be said of Dark Champion, whose career has been littered with near misses and tales of woe. However, he can be relied upon for an each-way play on his recent efforts and he can again be in there pitching if he runs his usual race.
Catch The Cat (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Prominent, ridden 3f out, faded, 7th of 13, 4l behind Blessed Place (8-9) at W'hampton 5f stk (7) pol in Oct.
Dark Champion 6-1 (8-8) With leader, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Zidane (9-0) at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gf in Oct.
Seven No Trumps 10-1 (9-1) Raced stand side, chased leaders over 4f, 12th of 15, 9l behind Brigadore (9-4) at Nottingham 6f hcp 45-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Snow Wolf 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, stayed on final furlong to press for 2nd near finish but no chance with winner, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Semenovskii (8-11) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Venables (USA) 12-1 (9-10) Prominent over 3f, 10th of 11, 12l behind Mystic Man (9-6) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Oct.
Harrys House 7-1 (8-13) Jumped right at start, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind After The Show (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Mynd 11-2 (9-0) Keen in rear, headway over 2f out, no further impression, 7th of 13, 9l behind Misaro (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Dizzy In The Head 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind After The Show (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.