chased leading pair, hampered and left 2nd at 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always travelling well, in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear last, eased near finish
with leader until fell 2nd
held up, hampered 2nd, mistake and reminders 4th, ridden 4 out, blundered and rider lost iron next, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner and every chance 2 out, driven and kept on one pace
led, left clear 2nd, reduced lead 5th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, hampered 2nd, hit 4th, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on near finish, never dangerous
held up, ridden and headway 2out, kept on one pace
GALLEY SLAVE gets another chance now dropped back down in trip. Michael Chapman's gelding was in good form before flopping at Southwell last time. It might be that his busy period has caught up with him but his mark still looks attainable. Ouest Eclair ran a more encouraging race at Wetherby last time, whilst Dr Finley is unexposed but his mark of 104 looks harsh for what he has actually achieved. Luthien looks a more exciting betting proposition but stamina doubts still abound, and a bigger challenge may come from either the Irish recruit Venetian Dove or the Wetherby runner-up Red Skipper.
Red Skipper (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and keen, steady headway after 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Warrior One (10-11) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Venetian Dove (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 4th before 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, 12th of 18, well behind Big Game Hunter (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Sep.
Luthien (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Rimini (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Wicklewood 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 5th, went 2nd and ridden after 3 out until before next, one pace last, 4th of 10, 10l behind Amuse Me (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Ouest Eclair (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, weakened run-in, 4th of 17, 7l behind Wheyaye (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Galley Slave (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Led until approaching 7th, soon ridden and dropped out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Salpierre (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Dr Finley (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place approaching 4th, 7th of 13, 35l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (10-12) at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gd in Oct.
Chalice Welcome 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Just The Job (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
