SOCCERJACKPOT takes a big drop in class and he can see off Indian Skipper and Geezers Colours. Clive Cox's charge has solid form on the all weather surfaces in the past and having finished fifth in a conditions stakes at the track, this might be an opportunity for a confidence booster. Indian Skipper was well held behind some decent handicappers at Southwell. He ran respectably without troubling the judge on his previous visit to Kempton. John Weymes' team are in decent order at present and he saddles the ex-Karl Burke trained, Geezers Colours. This claimer appears tougher than the event in which he placed behind Red Somerset in at Wolverhampton. River Kirov and Kings Ace have a bit to do on the official BHA figures. Soccerjackpot is a surprisingly high profile runner for a race of this nature and he is likely to have been priced accordingly by the bookies.
Geezers Colours 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Red Somerset (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Indian Skipper (IRE) 28-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, outpaced and behind, ridden halfway, kept on, never a factor, 5th of 9, 16l behind Imprimis Tagula (7-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Dec.
River Kirov (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 7l behind Benandonner (9-0) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Kings Ace (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 21l behind Ghufa (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Red Somerset (USA) 3-1 (9-5) Held up, wide and headway over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec beating Bahamian Kid (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Soccerjackpot (USA) 7-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed well over 1f out, chased winner until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Khor Dubai (8-10) at Kempton 7f stks (3) pol in Nov.
