tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
took keen hold, led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly
pressed leader, effort over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, chased leaders and evey chance approaching final furlong, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no reach winner
mid-division, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on one pace, not trouble leaders
steadied start, held up in rear, no progress until ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
towards rear, headway and short of room over 1f out, switched right, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, always towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
started slowly, behind, kept on from over 1f out, never a factor
Nonrunner
Speagle, Birkside and Don Pietro are three against the field in this claimer and the narrow vote is given to Birkside. The selection won well last time when beating Magic Mountain in similar grade and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Speagle hails from the same stable as the selection but looks the stables second string on jockey bookings. Don Pietro has had plenty of chances and one win in 15 starts is off putting. Circus Polka could improve for the fitting of first time blinkers so should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Bedouin Blue hails from a shrewd yard and is dropping in class but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Birkside who is in the form of his life.
Birkside 7-2 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, won at Kempton 1m 3f clm (6) pol in Oct beating Magic Mountain (8-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Don Pietro 12-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never in contention, 9th of 12, 9l behind Risque Heights (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Circus Polka (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, never on terms, 12th of 13, 11l behind Evident Pride (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Dawson Creek (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Led, ridden and edged right from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Reveur (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Oct.
Bridgewater Boys 6-4fav (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, headway to lead well over 2f out, drifted to stand's rail, ridden clear final furlong, driven out, won at Brighton 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gd in Oct beating Megalala (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Speagle (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 3f out, 10th of 12, 16l behind Realism (9-8) at York 1m 2f clm (4) gf in Sept.
Strength 'n Honour 16-1 (9-10) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 11l behind Birkside (9-9) at Kempton 1m 3f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Casablanca Minx (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Climate (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Soon tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out, 9th of 10, 14l behind The City Kid (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Itsy Bitsy 40-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, no chance final 3f, 6th of 11, 19l behind Nawamees (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f app clm (6) pol in Oct.
Franky'n'jonny 12-1 (8-7) Always behind and outpaced over 2f out, last of 11, 8l behind General Knowledge (9-6) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol.
Ashmolian (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Took keen hold in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 8l behind Spritza (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Bedouin Blue (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) In touch, driven over 2f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 11, 7l behind Muhannak (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (4) pol in Oct.
