led until 5th, led again and hit 7th, driven clear next, blundered 3f out, unchallenged after, eased near finish
tracked winner, mistake 2nd, jumped light 4th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
held up, headway to go moderate 3rd approaching 3f out, never near to challenge
always in rear, not fluent 3rd, soon detached
prominent, led 5th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 4f out
held up in touch, slow 8th, ridden and headway after 3f out, weakened after 2f out
held up in touch, weakened after 5th, pulled up before next, dismounted
Nonrunner
Cruzspiel should have little difficulty adding to his tally at the expense of Thedublinpublcan, Festive Chimes and Be Telling. Cruzspiel was head and shoulders above this lot on the Flat, having won a Listed race for John Oxx in Ireland two years ago, and more recently having been successful in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot at York for his current handler James Fanshawe. Therefore it came as no surprise to anyone when the son of Singspiel bolted up at Huntingdon under a confident McCoy ride, and we can expect more of the same here. Thedublinpublican is taken to chase him home on the back of a couple of fair efforts since coming over from Ireland. He duly made a winning bow at Uttoxeter in September but was anchored by his penalty at Market Rasen last time and looks clear second best. Festive Chimes has been consistent enough, the market should reveal if Be Telling is fancied and We Robbie has potential, but there can only be one winner if he stays upright, and that is Cruzspiel.
Cruzspiel 4-5fav (10-11) Always prominent, hit 5th, led 6th, clear when hit last, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gd beating Orinocovsky (10-11) by 4l, 6 ran.
Thedublinpublican (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 24l behind Square Mile (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd.
Be Telling (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, always in rear, 10th of 11, well behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Busy Man (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, behind, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 41l behind United Spirit (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Loup Bleu (USA) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, challenged on bit 2 out, ridden and led approaching last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Kerrigand (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) sft in Dec '02.
Wee Robbie 100-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened over 3f out, 13th of 24, 24l behind Missed That (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Cash Return 28-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Rare Coincidence (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-0) Held up, good headway after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden clear, hung badly right and headed close home, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Miss Merenda (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Ballyfitz 4th of 10, 19l behind Kranji at Meath 3m ire ptp gd in Apr '04.
