in touch stands side, driven halfway, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear far side, never a factor
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division far side, effort over 2f out, no impression
led stands side group, headed over 1f out, soon beaten
chased leaders far side, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch far side, ridden 2f out, chased winner final furlong
made all, clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong
prominent stands side, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear stands side, never dangerous
prominent stands side, ridden over 1f out, led group approaching final furlong, no chance with winner
towards rear stands side, never dangerous
towards rear stands side, never on terms
in touch stands side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear stands side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent for 4f stands side
prominent stands side, driven halfway, weakened final furlong
prominent for 4f far side group
mid-division far side, effort over 3f out, soon outpaced
towards rear stands side, never dangerous
chased leaders stands side, outpaced over 2f out
Game Lad can complete a hat-trick at the expense of Wigwam Willie, with Balakiref and Desert Opal just two more with claims. This race sets the agenda for the day, with a number of tricky large fields for punters to contend with, but Game Lad has the form to defy topweight so gets the vote. Tim Easterly's charge always goes well here and lines up in the form of his life after comfortable wins at Musselburgh and more recently Newmarket. He has strengthened up since last year and can hump his penalty to success in the opener. Wigwam Willie opened his account in heavy ground here last month and has the same apprentice on board now, plus his stable won this event last year. Balakiref has been consistent enough and has course form, while Desert Opal lines up on the back of a couple of victories on the Wolverhampton Polytrack, but is another that is proven with give underfoot. They appear to be the main contenders, and we shall pin our hopes on Game Lad.
Game Lad 11-1 (9-2) Raced far side, behind and outpaced, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating Dabbers Ridge (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Queen's Lodge (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Prominent for 4f, 11th of 13, 8l behind Intoxicating (8-12) at York 6f hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Bailieborough (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Dwelt and soon mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 20, 18l behind Krugerrand (8-13) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Prominent far side group, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) hvy in Oct beating Wavertree Warrior (8-10) by 1l, 20 ran.
Commando Scott (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (9-0) Raced stand's side, tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead group inside final furlong, no chance with far side, 6th of 19, 8l behind Game Lad (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Steel Blue 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, not clear run on inside over 2f out, no danger after, 9th of 13, 10l behind Fyodor (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Thunderwing (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Little Bob (8-5) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Cardinal Venture (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 18, 4l behind Lord of The East (8-11) at Ayr 7f hcp (3) gd in Sept.
Chateau Nicol 16-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 7l behind Border Music (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
Apex 66-1 (9-1) Raced near side, behind, kept on final 2f but never dangerous, 10th of 18, 4l behind Minority Report (9-1) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-95 (4) gf in Oct.
Yakimov (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Raced stand's side, chased leaders over 4f, 15th of 19, 15l behind Game Lad (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Riley Boys (IRE) 22-1 (8-13) Towards rear, never dangerous, 16th of 20, 39l behind Krugerrand (8-13) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Balakiref 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 18, nk behind Raymond's Pride (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no extra, 11th of 20, 17l behind Krugerrand (8-13) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Imperial Echo (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Raced far side, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 19, 9l behind Game Lad (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Paris Bell 6-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Raymond's Pride (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Desert Opal 11-2 (8-12) Led early, remained prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Sept beating Attorney (8-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hurricane Coast 5-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden ovef out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Fromsong (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (4) pol in Oct.
Fair Shake (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Behind final 2f, 9th of 18, 7l behind Wyatt Earp (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft.
Baron Rhodes 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, not much room on inside after 2f, ridden, weakening when not clear run well over 1f out, 12th of 14, 16l behind Game Lad (9-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-60 (4) gd in Oct.
Tidy (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Always behind, 10th of 18, 10l behind Wyatt Earp (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft.
Certain Justice (USA) 25-1 (8-13) Towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Pure Imagination (8-9) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
