prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer
held up towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, well beaten over 2f out
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden well over 1f out, no impression, soon beaten
soon towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway and soon soon well beaten
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, quickened clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, caught post
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway and switched right over 2f out, ridden and inclined to edge left from over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead post
A tough race to call for punters and one where the choice is HOBSON to get the better of Nufoudh and Rio Cobolo. Eve Johnson Houghton sends Hobson up from her Oxfordshire base, and she has a 50 per cent strike rate with her older horses at this track, with one winner from two in the past five years, so her rare trips here are worth noting. The horse itself arrives in good form after scoring at Chepstow over this trip last time and from a 3lbs higher mark he is taken to follow-up. Nufoudh has been in cracking form, recording back-to-back Musselburgh victories over this trip, but a 6lb rise accounted for him at the Scottish track last time, though from 2lbs lower today he is not dismissed as a previous course and distance scorer. Rio Cobolo is 3lbs higher than his best winning mark and has been in the grip of the assessor for his past nine runs since scoring at Beverley in September, but he went close last time and should be thereabouts. Smalljohn goes well here and relishes fast ground, so from a competitive mark he can be in the shake-up, though we'll stick with Hobson as the choice.
Bold Marc (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Chased leader, challenged and every chance 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong, no impression, 8th of 14, 7l behind Keys of Cyprus (8-13) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Hobson 10-1 (8-11) In touch on outside, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden and stayed on well, won at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Space Station (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dark Moment 17-2 (9-1) Close up on outside, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on until one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Mujaadel (9-5) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Salerosa (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Keen, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4l behind La Zamora (8-8) at Southwell 7f fll hcp (4) fbs.
Rio Cobolo (IRE) 9-1 (7-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner and every chance inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Game Lad (8-10) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Smalljohn 7-1 (8-7) Led, headed narrowly over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance final furlong, held near finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Turn Me On (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Nufoudh (IRE) 11-10fav (9-4) Held up in touch and keen, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Camerooney (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Glenridding 14-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 18, 9l behind Come And Go (9-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Not much room soon after start, held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 11, 9l behind King Of Eden (8-11) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
