in touch on inside, ran wide into bend over 2f out, ridden, kept on inside final furlong
always in rear, carried wide bend over 2f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never nearer
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden out
led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway and wide 3f out, chased winner 2f out, no impression final furlong
We will concentrate here on the two recent winners with Danish Monarch just getting the verdict over Catskill, Billy One Punch may do best of the others. The selection caused a major shock when landing a Bath seller at odds of 66/1 last month. But there looked to be no fluke about it as he comfortably got the better of some higher rated horses. He gets in here on a reasonable mark and can make it back to back victories. Catskill showed great determination to win a Yarmouth handicap last time. He does now look a little high in the weights but in this company he should go very close again. Billy One Punch has been steadily dropping down the weights and showed signs of a form revival last time. This is certainly one to be wary of and so keep a close eye on the betting. Fantasy Crusader looks the pick of the remainder, but off a featherweight, Danish Monarch could be the best option.
Catskill 16-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, led over 1f out, driven, all out, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May beating Cottingham (8-4) by a shd, 11 ran.
Monash Lad (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, never travelling in rear, 14th of 15, well behind Night Storm (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Consonant (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 19l behind Smooth Jazz (9-5) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Started slowly, in rear, progress and effort 2f out, kept on same pace over 1f out, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Full Victory (9-12) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Linda's Colin (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Held up mid-division, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, soon lost place, 9th of 10, 28l behind Rain Stops Play (9-10) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Billy One Punch 16-1 (9-2) Led 1f, tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, 5th of 13, 3l behind Full Victory (9-12) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Danish Monarch 66-1 (9-2) Made all, ridden 2f out, edged right final furlong, kept on, won at Bath 1m 2f sll (6) gf in May beating Eijaaz (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Fantasy Crusader 11-1 (8-1) Mid-division, not clear run 3f out until 2f out, soon switched left, stayed on, 5th of 15, 11l behind Night Storm (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.