held up in rear, switched inside and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well to chase winner inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
in touch, lost place 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, switched left 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out
behind, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never nearer
raced keenly, held up mid division on outside, lost place over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, lost place 2f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
A competitive finale where GREAT BOUNDER is the recipient of our reluctant vote ahead of Harting Hill and Clerical. John Best's gelding begun his handicap career on a mark of 67 but has never looked capable of being competitive from such dizzy heights. He has, however, found some form in similar contests of late which marks him down as one of the likelier winners. Harting Hill has clearly puzzled selections as it wasn't too long ago that he raced over fourteen furlongs and this is his first run at this trip since debut. He did go close at this track over a mile when held-up from off the pace though and it would be no surprise to see George Baker try and repeat those tactics. Clerical posted a decent effort over course and distance on his penultimate start but connections have replaced cheekpieces with a visor following a lesser effort at Wolverhampton. The change in headgear and return to this venue may see him post a better performance. Kamanja and Madhal are others to bear in mind but the suggestion is Great Bounder.
Battimoore (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 7l behind Spinning Bailiwick (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Cativo 33-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 9, 15l behind Mustakmil (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Cavalry Guard (USA) 8-1 (8-6) Close up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind Wunder Strike (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Clerical (USA) 10-3 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased leader to well over 1f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 12, 7l behind Spinning Ridge (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Great Bounder (CAN) 4-1 (10-8) Led, ridden 3f out, headed and outpaced 2f out, rallied to lead briefly inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 14, hd behind Prince Golan (10-6) at Southwell 1m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) fbs in Nov.
Harting Hill 50-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 4l behind Appalachian Trail (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Kamanja (UAE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on nearest finish, 5th of 13, 7l behind Dancing Welcome (8-13) at Lingfield 7f Apprentice Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) pol in Nov.
Madhal 4-1 (9-0) Prominent, took keen hold, racing awkwardly when lost place over 3f out briefly, progress and hanging right over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 13, 8l behind Shannon Golden (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Misterisland (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 19l behind Just Jimmy (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
My Flame 12-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, gradually weakened, 10th of 12, 9l behind Wunder Strike (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Running Flush (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Dancing Welcome (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tagula Minx (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 12, 21l behind Illuminative (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Oct.
Turfwolke (GER) 33-1 (8-6) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Some Sunny Day (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol in Aug.
Triumphant Welcome 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along and struggling halfway, always in rear, last of 11, 10l behind The History Man (9-1) at Bath 6f hcp 0-58 (6) gd in Oct.
