held up behind, headway and switched left well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always towards rear
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, just held on towards finish
held up and keen, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held on towards finish
chased leaders, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced halfway
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
Nacho Libre is the clear pick at the weights but hasn't been in great form this season and his yard has a modest record at the track. Therefore, we'll go along with EFISTORM ahead of Godfrey Street. Nacho Libre was a useful sort at his best for Barry Hills but has failed to recapture his best form and couldn't be confidently put forwards even allowing for his swift descent into the claiming ranks. Efistorm is another with a decent chance at the weights and he has run some fair races this season including when just a length behind Cheveton in July; ground conditions are fine and he rates a player. Godfrey Street hasn't beaten a horse home on his last four starts but his shrewd yard are capable of nursing him back to his best. It's a long way to come from Devon for this prize money and the booking of Greg Fairley takes the eye; don't be surprised to see him bounce back. Blue Tomato won as he liked at Wolverhampton last time and has to be given a leading chance in this grade but, rather surprisingly for a son of Orpen, he has yet to show any form in soft ground so we'll select Efistorm for whom the ground holds no fears.
Blue Tomato 2-1fav (8-10) Mid-divison, headway on inside 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol in Oct beating Thunder Bay (8-11) by 6l, 10 ran.
Nacho Libre 20-1 (9-1) Always behind, 16th of 18, 19l behind Laddies Poker Two (8-9) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Efistorm 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, effort over 2f, no impression, 6th of 11, 5l behind Irish Pearl (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Fire Up The Band 20-1 (7-13) Led, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Quest For Success (9-2) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy.
Godfrey Street 16-1 (8-12) Led to 2f out, weakened quickly, eased when beaten final furlong, tailed off, last of 6, 37l behind Haajes (9-0) at Folkestone 5f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Oct.
Gleaming Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 24l behind Stand In Flames (8-7) at Windsor 6f clm (6) gf in Oct.
Zamalik (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Behind, edged right 2f out, soon one pace, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Joyeaux (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Kings College Boy 11-1 (8-13) Soon outpaced and behind, 13th of 14, 15l behind Joyeaux (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Whozart (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-3) Made all, driven and held on final furlong, won at Catterick 5f amt hcp (6) gd in Oct beating Spirit of Coniston (11-3) by a nk, 14 ran.
