close up, in rear, ridden after 4 out, (actual 3 out), struggling from next, tailed off
tracked winner until driven 3 out (actual 2 out), weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, (actual 2 out), no impression from bend into straight
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, ( actual 2 out), weakening when flattened new last
in touch, ridden 3 out, ( actual 2 out), soon weakened
pushed along to make all, flattened 5th, driven from 2 out, (actual last) stayed on strongly long run in
David Thompson and Sarah Humphrey are both doubly represented in this finale. Weybridge Light is preferred to Izbushka of the former's duo while Larteta may represent more value than Top Man Marty of the latter's pair. But this can go to VERY INTENSE, who was probably unlucky to come up against an in-form Duke's Affair when sent off a hot favourite at Wincanton in November – he deserves to get his head in front. Global Dream turned in a shocker at Uttoxeter last month and would need to do better here to get into contention.
Top Man Marty (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon struggling in last pair, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Weybridge Light 4-1jfav (9-2) Tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, 6th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Coorg (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Very Intense (IRE) 6-5fav (11-8) Chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out, every chance last, rallied briefly run-in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Duke's Affair (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Global Dream 13-8fav (11-8) Led until 3rd, not fluent 5th, led again next, headed 7th, switched right before 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 8, 36 1/4l behind Transient Bay (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Larteta (FR) 10-1 (10-1) Held up in 4th, closed 5th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, dist behind Bells 'n' Banjos (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Izbushka (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, weakened from 2 out, pulled up before last, tailed off, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
