held up in rear, headway when carried slightly right over 1f out, soon ridden and one pace
close up, always travelling well, shaken up to lead over 1f out, pushed clear, comfortably
in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
dwelt, in rear, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, never nearer
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, edged left and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and hampered over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
raced wide mid-division, soon ridden along, driven over 2f out, soon weakened
keen, soon led, ridden over 2f out, edged right and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
At least there is one piece of winning form in this second division but it looks no less tricky a puzzle so bets best kept to a minimum. We will side with SPIRITUAL ART ahead of Hellbender and Deckchair. Simon Callaghan has his horses in good nick and his Invincible Spirit filly ran well when last seen in October, only going down by just over a length to Cocktail Party at Nottingham. That form looks solid and if she is supported in the betting then she should run well. Hellbender was also a runner-up when last seen, whilst Oisin's Boy has shown a level of consistency on recent outings. Raimond Ridge probably has a tough task off top weight as he returns from a break, Deckchair has a pound rise in the weights for his recent claiming win at Wolverhampton. Honorable Endeavour is another for consideration but in an open heat it is Spiritual Art who gets the vote.
Raimond Ridge (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Held up in touch, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 16l behind Polish Pride (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Spiritual Art 9-2jt-fav (8-13) In touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Cocktail Party (8-13) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Deckchair 16-1 (8-2) Held up in mid-division, headway well over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on, won at W'hampton 6f 2yo clm (5) pol in Nov beating Officer Mor (9-1) by 2l, 11 ran.
Honorable Endeavor 50-1 (8-12) In rear, headway 2f out, not troubled leaders over 1f out, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 9l behind My Kingdom (9-0) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Silver Salsa 33-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, ridden and struggling from halfway, 8th of 11, 9l behind Rainbow Seeker (9-6) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Lady Gem 12-1 (8-8) Soon pushed along in rear, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Silent Wonder (8-9) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs in Nov.
Calypso Prince 20-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Hold The Bucks (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2yo sll (6) pol in Nov.
Lonsdale Lad 100-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, not far away, ridden and weakened well over 2f out, 8th of 10, 21l behind Kinigi (7-9) at Southwell 7f 2yo clm (6) fbs in Nov.
Oisin's Boy 6-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 7l behind Kingaroo (8-2) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp (6) std.
Hellbender (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind My Best Bet (9-6) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
