tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden when headed over 2f out, one pace
pulled hard in touch, ridden and weakened halfway
held up, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon held
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
in touch and keen, ridden and every chance 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway on inside 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
held up, ridden and weakened over 3f out
led, headed over 5f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out
towards rear, headway 10f out, weakened 5f out
With very little form to go on here we have to rely on performances and in that premise the vote marginally goes to SONG SUNG BLUE with Swansbrook and Vacario also in with strong claims. It's because of his creditable effort in better company than this that the verdict goes the way of Colin Tizzard's gelding. That came in his last outing where he wasn't disgraced when fifth of 12 in a listed contest at Cheltenham. Dropping back to this lowly class now should be the key for this one to get his head in front. Swansbrook for Alan King has showed some promise in his two starts thus far, both in better company. He returned this season after building some strength over the summer break to run well and claim third place at Ascot last time. The form from that race has taken some knocks but his own performance suggests there's more to come. Vacario won a bumper of this standard last season and has returned this campaign in just as good a form. Has more on his plate from that victory if he is to win here but like the majority of these improvement is in the offing. Varekai must be respected on breeding with plenty of winners in the family.
Bella Haze 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division and keen, headway halfway, led 6f out, ridden 3f out, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Nov beating Ellen Tilley (11-0) by a nk, 16 ran.
Diddley Dee Riverhead gelding out of Ballydiddle.
Galaxy Rock (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 15, 13l behind Our Bomber Harris (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Gratification 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 4f out, headed 3f out and weakened, 6th of 16, 21l behind Pause And Clause (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Jays Cottage Karinga Bay gelding out of Pendil's Niece.
Just An Ace (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 5f out, hung left over 3f out, beaten when hung left 1f out, 4th of 16, 12l behind Flemmingsbond (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Nov.
Merlins Mate 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 16, 27l behind Flemmingsbond (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Nov.
Song Sung Blue (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 7f out, chasing leaders and pushed along over 5f out, driven 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 14l behind Shinrock Paddy (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) sft in Nov.
Swansbrook (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway from 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd in Nov.
Varekai (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Gold Label.
Dark Haven 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 37l behind Megabill (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Gan On 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 4f out, switched right well over 1f out, no extra when hung left inside final furlong, 4th of 20, 12l behind Madame Mado (10-12) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Ladette To Lady (IRE) Sunshine Street filly out of Fourplusone.
Peggy Ann (IRE) Anshan mare out of Peg O The Wood.
Pistol At Dawn (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division and keen, headway halfway, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 15, 30l behind Tara Two Hills (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gd in Oct.
Vacario (GER) 9-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, hampered, lost place after 6f, ridden, headway over 3f out to chase leaders, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Like Minded (11-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Nov.
