slowly into stride, always behind
led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra and eased well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
soon led, headed over 5f out, hung left over 1f out, held by winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
soon towards rear, well behind over 2f out
chased leaders, lost place 2f out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
behind, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
chased leaders early, mid-division, well beaten over 2f out
held up in mid-division, not clear run 1f out, kept on, never nearer
prominent, led over 5f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on well
mid-division, driven over 2f out, no impression
Klopp Of The Kop has toughed it out really well to land his last two, prevailing by a head on both occasions. He's obviously full of beans at present but this rates a tougher task for the gelding as he's up in grade and 2lb higher. He ties in very closely with Medicine Jack on their running a fortnight ago and there's little between the pair on the book. Mr Strutter boasts a good record at this venue and must be shortlisted in his current strong vein of form but the feeling persists that MOTARAJEL is going to crop up one of these days. He's dropped a stone in the weights in the past 16 months, ran a nice race last time at Beverley and Ella McCain claims a very handy 5lb.
Custodian (IRE) 150-1 (8-9) Held up tracking leaders disputing 4th until pushed along 3f out, soon weakened and behind, tailed off, last of 6, 29l behind Aquaman (9-3) at Redcar 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Abel Handy (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never involved, 14th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Modular Magic (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Merry Secret (IRE) 15-8fav (9-10) Mid-division, nudged along 2f out, headway when not getting a clear run over 1f out, switched right 1f out, pushed along final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Secret Handsheikh (9-10) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (6) pol in Aug.
Klopp of The Kop (IRE) 9-4fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, raced freely, smooth headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ran on well and led close home, won at Beverley 7f stks (6) gd in Aug beating Medicine Jack (9-10) by hd, 12 ran.
Medicine Jack 3-1 (9-10) Led, extended advantage 3f out, pressed over 1f out, ran on gamely inside final furlong until headed near finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Klopp of The Kop (9-10) at Beverley 7f stks (6) gd in Aug.
Maaward (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Raced wide took keen hold, tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Born To Finish (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Round The Island 10-3fav (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, one paced thereafter, 7th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Dark Defender (9-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Mr Strutter (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Midfield, pushed along to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Swinging Eddie (9-12) at Catterick 7f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Sassoon 150-1 (9-9) Raced wide in touch, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, dist behind Ugo Gregory (10-0) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Motarajel 5-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, rapid headway between horses over 1f out, kept on but could not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Antagonize (9-5) at Beverley 1m hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Final Frontier (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Steadied start, always towards rear, 10th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Mr Wagyu (10-3) at Pontefract 6f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Christmas Night 22-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to challenge inside final furlong, no extra final 50yds, 5th of 10, 3l behind Swinging Eddie (9-12) at Catterick 7f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
