keen, held up, headway 4th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
in touch, led approaching 2 out, strongly challenged flat, driven, ran on
held up, never dangerous
keen, tracked leader, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened
in touch, ridden 3 out, effort , every chance flat, no extra close home
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened
raced wide, in touch, ridden, every chance from 3 out, ran on flat
chased leader, ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, mistake 4th, soon lost place
mid-division, ridden, struggling from 3 out, never on terms
went freely to post, pulled hard, held up, ridden 5th, behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, never nearer
In an interesting handicap, we will side with Salhood ahead of Irish Wolf and Barton Park. The selection looked pretty decent as a novice and has won from a three-pounds higher mark than today in the past. He would have needed his latest run, which came in a Flat versus Jump jockeys race and would appear to hold a decent chance if near his best. Irish Wolf appreciated the drop in trip last time to win over course and distance and, even though conditions were said to be on the testing side that day, he looks the type to have improvement in him. Barton Park caused a 100/1 surprise at Wincanton last time and, although possibly a fortunate winner there, a rating of 100 does not look overly harsh. Of the others, Hernando's Boy is potentially well-in but this trip might be a little sharp, but his stablemate Sun King could be interesting if retaining his ability of two years ago, Credit appeared not to stay last time and will appreciate the drop in trip, and you can certainly build a case for Silver Prophet based on his Windsor second to Priors Dale, and the third has gone on to score since. However, we will side with Salhood.
Hernando's Boy 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and edged right 2 out, headed flat, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind October Mist (9-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Nov.
Credit (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Hit 1st, held up, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, soon outpaced, never on terms, 6th of 9, 20l behind October Mist (9-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Nov.
Irish Wolf (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, chased leader approaching 3 out, mistake and every chance 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, won at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov beating Di's Dilemma (10-1) by 1l, 14 ran.
Candarli (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Always prominent, every chance 2 out, ridden approaching last, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Devito (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Nov.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, chased winner soon after last, stayed on run-in, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Priors Dale (11-12) at Windsor 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Pirandello (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, mistake 7th, weakened after 2 out, 13th of 16, 28l behind Meadow Hawk (9-9) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Nov.
Harrycat (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 34l behind Daryal (11-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.
Front Rank (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up and always towards rear, 8th of 10, well behind Festive Chimes (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
