held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened approaching last
raced wide towards rear, headway 8th, soon chasing leaders, led after 2 out, stayed on well
chased leaders, slow 7th, joined leader 5 out, ridden after next, weakened before last
in touch on inside, lost place 3 out, soon behind, tailed off
led, headed 6th, led again 8th, headed after 2 out, soon rallied, no extra closing stages
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 8th, soon weakened, behind 3 out
in touch, effort 3 out, weakened after next
keen in rear, headway 4 out, weakened 2 out
Polished Rock won three races on quick going, including one over fences, before running poorly at Fakenham which wasn't his form though he'll need to bounce back here. Western Wave hasn't been beaten far in his last two starts but has gone up in the weights while Steel Bob was returning from a very long break when pulling up at Chepstow and may need another run. LATE SHIPMENT won three times around here at the beginning of last year and though unsuccessful subsequently has now dropped to such a lowly mark he's taken to get back to winning ways. Jully Les Buxy comfortably won a handicap in this class at Exeter and has raced in slightly better company subsequently so has to be respected.
Topper Thornton (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 4 out, hit 3 out, chasing leaders when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 17 1/2l behind Solstice Star (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Western Wave (FR) 13-2 (12-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, 3rd last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Miss Spent (11-7) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Steel Bob (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened 6 out, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Polished Rock (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Towards rear, soon pushed along, last before 9th, well behind next, last of 7, dist behind Our Reward (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Jully Les Buxy 4-1 (11-0) In touch on outside, ridden before 3 out, outpaced in 4th 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Royal Claret (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Late Shipment 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden 6th, lost place next, soon behind, 6th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Django Django (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Larch Hill (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leader, mistake 3rd, slow and went left next, led after 5th, headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Kloud Gate (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Dec.
Itsamanslife (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, beaten 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 17, 28l behind Radical Archie (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
