in touch in 4th, quickly weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, quickly before 5 out
tracked leader, with leader halfway, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
led to 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along before 6 out, never dangerous
prominent, challenged before 4 out, led before 3 out, headed before last, weakened last 100 yards
in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway before 5 out to chase leaders, weakening and 7th when fell 3 out
mid-division, mistake 6 out, outpaced after 4 out, led before last, soon clear, easily
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, every chance 2 out, ridden after last, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish
A few of these have disappointed of late and several are approaching the veteran stage. Last year's winner Barafundle falls into both categories and it may also be worth opposing the likes of Sa Suffit, Shotavodka and Bold Sir Brian. But Horizontal Speed ran well for fourth when stepped up in trip at Cheltenham and Island Heights and Shades Of Midnight were first and third over track and trip in November and closely matched on today's terms. Corrin Wood is potentially well treated on his reappearance but BAYWING can take this step up in grade in his stride and complete the four-timer as he is still at the right end of the handicap.
Horizontal Speed (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, challenged 9th, led approaching last, headed flat, no impression on winner and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 16, 4 1/4l behind Singlefarmpayment (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Barafundle (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) With leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened after next,, 6th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Pineau De Re (11-8) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Sa Suffit (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, close up 7th, lost place after 4 out, behind and outpaced next, stayed on to take moderate 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 31l behind Yes Tom (10-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Corrin Wood (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, blundered badly 3rd, not recover, pulled up before next, at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Shotavodka (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, dropped towards rear after 3rd, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind One Track Mind (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Island Heights (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Pineau De Re (11-8) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Goodbye Dancer (FR) 12-1 (11-13) Held up in last pair, pushed along towards rear 4 out, kept on from 2 out, went modest 4th last, 4th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Masterplan (11-3) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Bold Sir Brian (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, dist behind Baradari (11-2) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Baywing (IRE) 4-9fav (11-7) Held up in touch on outer, tracked leaders before 8th, poised to challenge before 3 out, upsides when not fluent next, led before last, driven out, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Bangkok Pete (11-0) by 14l, 5 ran.
Shades Of Midnight 7-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 11, 5 1/4l behind Island Heights (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
