slowly away, ridden over 2f out, headway 1f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
raced wide, held up in rear, ran wide into straight 2f out, soon ridden, never nearer
made all, clear 2f out, eased towards finish, readily
in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
close up, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, lost 2nd towards finish
held up, improved 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased winner until over 1f out, ridden and soon weakened
Nonrunner
DINNER DATE is our idea of the winner with Vine Street and All In The Red respected as dangers. Tony Culhane has been in good form in the saddle of late and his partner on this occasion accounted for Trafalgar Square at Kempton last month. With that horse winning earlier in the week, the form line looks solid. Vine Street made all to win here over course and distance. A 6lb penalty was all the handicapper could do to attempt to redress the balance. All In The Red won a seller at Leicester for Gay Kelleway. He has yet to sparkle for Ben Pollock but this step up in trip might make a difference. Jeff Pearce's string appear in fine form so don't discount Teasing in the event of any market confidence. Special Pearl is on handicap debut for Eoghan O'Neill so he is another to note. Kings Topic took an age to get his head infront but his performances at this track have been solid. Ministerofinterior won a seller for Chris Wall at Brighton and now attempts to win outside of that basement grade for Gary Moore. Resplendent Ace was a little disappointing last time out and might need further. Dinner Date is our idea of the winner in a tight finale.
Teasing 16-1 (9-6) Held up, effort and headway over 2f out, kept on, 4th of 12, 4l behind Sign of The Cross (9-1) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Kings Topic (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Soon prominent, went second over 6f out until over 3f out, hanging right from over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 15l behind Mick's Dancer (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Dinner Date 14-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, quicken to lead well over 1f out, clear final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Trafalgar Square (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Vine Street (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Musashi (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
All In The Red (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, switched left and effort inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 8, 1/2l behind Fine Ruler (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Special Pearl (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 15th of 21, 26l behind Pollen (9-0) at Curragh 1m mdn fll hvy in Oct.
Josr's Magic (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 12th of 14, 35l behind Rub of The Relic (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Danse The Blues 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven and soon weakened, 8th of 13, 15l behind She's So Pretty (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 9, 6l behind Action Impact (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Ministerofinterior 20-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 7l behind Stand Guard (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.