chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
pushed along towards rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
awkward at start, soon pushed along in rear
fly jumped start, chased leading pair, ridden halfway, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, never dangerous
soon pushed along in rear
slowly into stride, outpaced
Nonrunner
Grimes Faith has slipped to a fair mark but Kevin Ryan's gelding disappointed on a soft surface over course and distance last month and looks best watched in race taken to go to NORTHERN BOLT, who gets the vote with Absa Lutte rated the best of the rest. The selection is trained by David Nicholls who continues to have plenty of winners, is a confirmed soft ground performer, has run creditably in defeat of late and he looks the one to beat off his current mark. Richard Guest's King's Sabre has slipped to a decent mark but is hard to recommend on recent form and of more interest may be Fivefootnumberone. John Quinn's gelding ran well in a claimer at York last time and he has to be respected given his proven form on a soft surface. Tony Newcombe's Godfrey Street should appreciate the return to turf having disappointed on the Polytrack last time and the Fibresand prior to that. Noel Wilson's Ingleby Star should be alright on the ground but seems too high in the weights and of more interest may be Absa Lutte. Gay Kelleway's mare comes into this in good form following back-to-back wins at Kempton for Patrick Morris but showed that soft ground was of no concern on turf in Ireland so she has to be considered. Preference though is for Northern Bolt, who has an obvious chance on form on this surface, and he can provide David Nicholls with another winner.
Northern Bolt 12-1 (8-13) Raced stands side, mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 18, 6l behind Russian Spirit (9-2) at York 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Fivefootnumberone (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Bertie Southstreet (8-5) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Grimes Faith 6-1 (8-6) Mid-division, 8th of 14, 13l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Godfrey Street 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 13l behind Bertie Southstreet (8-5) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
King's Sabre 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out, last of 12, 27l behind Rioliina (8-2) at Leicester 7f clm stks (5) gf in Oct.
Take That 66-1 (8-5) In touch, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 27l behind Rio Sands (9-1) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Absa Lutte (IRE) 9-4 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, smooth headway between horses over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, pushed along and ran on well, won at Kempton 6f clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Oct beating Thunder Bay (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mr Rooney (IRE) 50-1 (7-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, soon pushed along, hung right 2f out, always behind, 10th of 12, 13l behind Captain Royale (8-1) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Coconut Moon 22-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakening when hung left over 1f out, 12th of 13, 18l behind Diamond Blade (8-5) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Elusive Style (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Always in rear, eased final 2f, 10th of 11, 39l behind Phantom Serenade (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in Sep.
Ingleby Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Igoyougo (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
