dwelt, close up in rear, ridden and switched wide over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd close home
keen pressed winner, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home
keen made most, ridden over 1f out, driven out, gamely
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide, close up, ridden and effort over 1f out, one pace and lost 3rd close home
REGIONAL won at Haydock on his handicap bow and first start for Ed Bethell’s yard. Another good effort in a tough sprint at Ripon last time suggests he can go close in this with plenty of scope for further progress. Above ran well over track and trip without threatening the winner last month and finished in front of Corinthia Knight so can figure again. The Last Lion has something to prove on a recent comeback run at Lingfield as he goes handicapping for the first time while Shallow Hal continues to struggle.
The Last Lion (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Awkwardly away, towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Good Effort (9-3) at Lingfield 6f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Regional 7-2jfav (9-7) Chased leaders stand side, ridden over 2f out, ran on well, always held, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Justanotherbottle (9-8) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Above (FR) 14-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, went 4th, not trouble leaders, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Tommy de Vito (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Corinthia Knight (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Led 1f, prominent, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Tommy de Vito (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Shallow Hal 50-1 (9-2) Chased leaders in main group, weakened, 18th of 22, 25 1/4l behind Broken Spear (9-5) at Doncaster 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.