led, hung right under pressure entering final furlong, soon headed, no extra final furlong
went left start, mid-division, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on
stumbled and unseated rider leaving stalls
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakening when short of room inside final furlong
mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on under pressure
mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on same pace
hampered start, held up in rear, raced wide, never a factor
chased leaders, under pressure when hampered entering final furlong, kept on same pace
outpaced towards rear, some late headway, never nearer
keen in mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on well, never nearer
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up in rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, lost place over 1f out, eased final furlong
Another tricky handicap for punters to unravel, especially with seven course winners in the line-up. Ivan Furtado won this two years ago and Captain Dion, the winner of eight races including both starts around here and at Catterick last time, should make a bold bid to add to his tally. BORN TO FINISH would have been an unlucky loser here last time as he was pushed wide into the straight before coming with a powerful late run. That was over 6f and he's never won over a trip this far but looks to have as good a chance as any. Knowing Glance scored on heavy going at Carlisle and has only had two runs on the all-weather but wouldn't have been sent here without good reason while the lightly-raced Daring Venture won here in May and has more scope than most of these. Broughtons Flare, a winner at Newmarket in May, returned to form here last month and is another to consider.
Captain Dion 7-2 (9-1) Made all, ridden and ran on, won at Catterick 6f hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Magical Effect (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Strawberry Jack 10-1 (9-12) Started very slowly, behind, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out, 7th of 9, 4l behind Pickett's Charge (9-8) at Brighton 7f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Fighting Temeraire (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, some late headway, no impression, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Little Palaver (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Daring Venture (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) With leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Mendoza (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Glory of Paris (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Full Intention (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Al Asef 12-1 (9-7) Held up and behind, headway towards inside over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Human Nature (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Forseti 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort 2f out, soon hung right, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Total Commitment (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Knowing Glance (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Made all, shaken up over 2f out, driven inside final furlong, held on well, won at Carlisle 7f hcp (5) hvy in Aug beating Black Friday (9-7) by nk, 6 ran.
Born To Finish (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outside turning into straight, soon ridden, ran on well inside final furlong, led post, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Something Lucky (9-6) by hd, 11 ran.
Broughtons Flare (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Prominent, led 6f out, ridden and veered sharply right over 1f out, soon joined, headed and no extra final 150 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Human Nature (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Secondo (FR) 16-1 (9-4) Slowly away towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Gottardo (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Blessed To Empress (IRE) 22-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened soon after, last of 12, 15 1/2l behind Zefferino (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Redemptive 10-1 (9-6) Chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Dawaaween (9-8) at Kempton 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Oct.
Sonnet Rose (IRE) 7-2fav (9-10) Dwelt in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 6th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Beepeecee (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Fantastic Flyer 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 7th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Spirit Of May (9-4) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Black Isle Boy (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Turn To Rock (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
