tracked leaders, chased winner from 6f out, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression
held up, headway over 4f out, weakened final 2f
mid-division, outpaced 6f out, kept on from 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden approaching 3f out, one pace
held up in rear, headway over 5f out, wekaened final 2f
made all, clear over 2f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway and hung left over 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, one pace final 2f
A tricky affair to finish with and Coe is preferred to Go Johnny Go and Crocodiles Rock. Coe was a fairly expensive purchase at the sales but as a Presenting gelding, he is related to quite a few decent winners and if he is forward enough in his work, he looks the obvious selection. Go Johnny Go is bred to stay trips and is a close relative to the classy Coome Hill. The market is watched for any signs of confidence. Crocodiles Rock ran very keenly on his first start under rules. He can be forgiven for tiring after wasting vital energy early but he can ill-afford a repeat of those behaviours here. Carl Llewellyn's bumper horses have ran well of late so Celtic Heather is respected on the proviso that there are no ill-effects for that spill on debut. Mr Tee Pee should have come on for the run at Catterick and is suggested as a plausible each-way alternative. In a trappy finale, Coe is taken to land the gold medal.
Alfabet Souk 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to halfway, 7th of 16, 36l behind Skippers Brig (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Boston Mondain (FR) Le Pommier d'Or gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Armariver & smart jumper Armaturk.
Chicago Jazz (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, headway over 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 16, 13l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Coe (IRE) Presenting gelding out of an unraced mare.
Go Johnny Go (IRE) Moonax gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Ironside.
Mr Tee Pee (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway 6f out, chased leaders over 3f out, kept on, 5th of 15, 19l behind Tazbar (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Rexmehead (IRE) Fort Morgan gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Smart Tom (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, effort 3f out, no extra final 2f, 5th of 15, 15l behind Giveusaclue (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Oct.
Bellassini 14-1 (10-9) Pulled hard, mid-division, progress 5f out, weakened 3f out, soon wandered, 9th of 10, 38l behind Shiwawa (11-1) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Aug.
Celtic Heather (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway when brought down in race won by Amaretto Rose (11-5) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (6) gd in Oct, 20 ran.
Miznix Presenting mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Rosy Anne 33-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Valentines Lady (10-9) at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
Crocodiles Rock (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 4f out, stayed on one pace final 2f, 5th of 15, 9l behind Wise Men Say (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.