held up towards rear, mistake 8th, no impression, well beaten before 2 out
tracked leaders, landed awkwardly 4th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner before last, lost 2nd flat, no extra
led or disputed lead, not fluent 1st, headed before 3 out, weakened next
in rear, mistake 3rd, headway on outside 8th, outpaced after 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th before last
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened 2 out
led or disputed lead, definite lead before 3 out where mistake, clear approaching last, driven out, reduced lead towards finish
towards rear, ridden after 8th, well beaten from 4 out, pulled up after
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, unable to trouble winner
Beaten only once here in four previous visits, the returning Closing Ceremony is worth a market check. Only Orsenfoolsies is a consistent type and ran well for third off this mark at Wetherby two weeks ago. The Hollow Ginge was in decent form in the autumn but still looks a few pounds too high and Tawseef could definitely do with some help from the handicapper. Theo's Charm and Florrie Knox should improve for recent reappearances and Road To Gold came good on heavy ground at Ayr last month but, in a tight handicap, the 5lb that Sam Coltherd claims off SILVA ECLIPSE could prove significant. Sue Smith’s charge should be cherry-ripe after a couple of outings last month and he has his ground.
Tawseef (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 28 3/4l behind Midnight Shadow (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Theo's Charm (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, jumped slowly 4th and 6th, effort 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 31 3/4l behind Paisley Park (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) With leader, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened after next, 7th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Dell' Arca (11-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Only Orsenfoolsies 8-1 (11-0) Joined winner 2nd, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Aristo Du Plessis (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Florrie Knox (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, hit 9th, pushed along and headed 2 out, lost 2nd at the last, weakened run-in, lost modest 3rd post, 4th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Aaron Lad (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
The Hollow Ginge (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Ready And Able (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Road To Gold (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders to 6th, mid-division, not fluent next, headway on outside 8th, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, not fluent next, led between last 2, rallied when headed briefly flat, held on, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Arthurs Secret (11-8) by nk, 11 ran.
Silva Eclipse 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway before 2 out, stayed on same pace and held in 4th last, 4th of 7, 5l behind Notwhatiam (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.