tracked leaders on inner, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
keen led, headed 11f out, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish
keen in rear, wide and headway to lead 11f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in rear, wide and headway 6f out, ridden to chase leader 3f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, outpaced over 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on one pace
tracked leader, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along 5f out, weakened 3f out
in touch on inner, headway 4f out, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong
OPERA KING, representing last year’s winning trainer and jockey combination, is probably more speedily bred than the majority of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runners in bumpers being a half-brother to three winners on the Flat. Caustic, a rare runner under NH Rules for Owen Burrows, was second over 1m5f at Exeter on his debut and must have every chance of going one better. Rockola can build on her third at Stratford and Gore Point did well to get up for second at Ludlow given he was held up well off the pace and he holds Carved In Stone on that run. Gold For Alec is a half-brother to a winner in France so may be best of the rest.
Beaming Light 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ran wide 4f out, hung badly left and ran out bend 3f out, at Huntingdon 1m 6f (5) gd in Oct.
Carved In Stone 5-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Lightning Flash (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Caustic 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, keen early, 3rd and ridden over 2f out, kept on, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Kel Du Large (11-0) at Exeter 1m 5f (5) gs in Oct.
Gold For Alec (FR) Planteur gelding out of Gold For Tina.
Gore Point 7-2 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Lightning Flash (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Mapogo 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th and ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 15, 33 1/2l behind Kel Du Large (11-0) at Exeter 1m 5f (5) gs in Oct.
Opera King Australia gelding out of Queen Arabella.
Spitfire Bridge 17-2 (11-0) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 5th close home, 5th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Giddyupadingdong (11-0) at Huntingdon 1m 6f (5) gd in Oct.
Miss Mink 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no response, 6th of 9, 10 1/2l behind La Marquise (11-0) at Stratford 2m fll (5) sft in Nov.
Raise Your Glass Jack Hobbs filly out of Sparkling River.
Rockola (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on same pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind La Marquise (11-0) at Stratford 2m fll (5) sft in Nov.
