always towards rear
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, blundered 7th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied next, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
in rear, headway 8th, weakening when hampered 2 out
mid-division, close up 4th, upsides 3 out, 9 lenghts down in 6th when fell 2 out
held up, headway halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, led run in, driven out
took keen hold, prominent, led after 2nd, headed 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up
chased leaders, led 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra
led, headed after 2nd, every chance 2 out, kept on from last
held up, headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, stayed on flat, just held
held up, lost place halfway, pulled up before 8th
in touch, lost place halfway, pulled up before 3 out
A very open race to conclude the days racing and the tentative vote goes to Compton Eclaire ahead of Camden Bella and Silver Seeker. The last-named steps back up to a more suitable trip after an average attempt over shorter a fortnight ago and should do better today. However this is a more competitive contest and so he is passed over, as is Camden George who is returning from a lengthy lay-off. Nicky Richards' yard has been in decent form this festive period, however it can be assumed that his mare should come on for this run. The selection should have no fitness problems as he ran just eight days ago at Musselburgh when he only just failed to catch the winner after storming up the run-in. A repeat of that run could be good enough to take this contest, and as he is yet to be punished by the handicapper for that narrow defeat, he looks the one to be on here.
Camden Bella 20-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, well behind Noir Et Vert (10-7) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Scotmail Too (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) In touch, every chance 2 out, ridden and weakened flat, 6th of 15, 24l behind Windy Hills (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 5-4fav (10-5) In touch, hit 3rd, chased winner 8th to 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 10, well behind The Painkiller (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
El Corredor (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place before 3rd, struggling 6th, soon beaten, 7th of 9, well behind Delightful Cliche (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Silver Seeker (USA) 9-2 (11-2) In rear, pushed along, headway approaching 7th, no impression, 6th of 11, 26l behind Wally Wonder (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Kidithou (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division and keen, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 33l behind Piraeus (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Oscar The Boxer (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Prominent, lost place 3rd, no danger after, 6th of 17, well behind Windygate (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f amt hcp hdl (5) gs.
Mary Casey 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Andrea Gale (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Compton Eclaire (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ran on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 17, hd behind Magnificent Seven (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Phareight Dei (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 8th, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Minella Tipperary (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Willie The Fish (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, outpaced 15th, 7th and beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jballingall (9-13) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Browneyes Blue (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden from next and no impression, 5th of 14, 28l behind The Whisperer (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Ladies From Leeds 66-1 (10-8) Behind, ridden at 5th, lost touch 7th, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Orki Des Aigles (10-2) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
