led, pushed along 8th, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, good headway to challenge after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, hung badly right flat, and headed close home
prominent, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up approaching last
held up last, pushed along after 3 out, some headway from 2 out, no impression
prominent, reminder 6th, weakened approaching 2 out,
chased leader, challenged on bit approaching 3 out, soon led, ridden and headed bend approaching 2 out, rallied last, ran on well to lead close home
held up towards rear, reminder 5th, ridden 7th, stayed on one pace from 3 out
Quite a few can be given hopes here, but we will opt for Festive Chimes ahead of Explosive Fox, Miss Merenda and Rome. Festive Chimes remains very consistent and, having justifiably achieved a rating of 104, including through winning at Uttoxeter last time, looks set to play a major part in this race. The highest-rated of the field, though, is Explosive Fox, and he comes firmly into things based on his second placings in his last two runs. The Bay Bridge's second to Chase The Sunset at Worcester last time looks reasonable in the context of this race, although he will need to improve again to play a leading party today, and Miss Merenda's second at Wincanton in March and third at Market Rasen in July also stands up to inspection in the context of this race, and she can also go well. Finally, any market support for the Paul Blockley-trained Regulation could be of interest, while Rome has more-than-enough form on the Flat and over jumps to be considered a player. However, we will stick with Festive Chimes.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, mistake 6th, hit next, headed 9th, soon ridden, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Absolut Power (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 7-4fav (10-8) In touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden when stumbled 2 out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf beating Smileafact (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rome (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Mid-division, slow 4th, headway next, soon one pace, 6th of 14, 15l behind Dyneburg (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (F) gf in Aug.
The Bay Bridge (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway from 3 out, ridden and ran on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Chase The Sunset (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Jul.
Regulated (IRE) 80-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 21l behind Anticipating (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (E) gf.
Miss Merenda 20-1 (10-1) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed after 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Weston Rock (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul.
Oh So Hardy 40-1 (9-4) Soon pushed along in rear, headway to chase leaders 8f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 13, 7l behind Anniversary Guest (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 7f stk (7) gf (Flat).
