dwelt, held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon struggling
held up mid-division, headway over 8f out to track leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up mid-division, switch left over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon chased winner, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, outpaced over 4f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, lost place over 8f out, pushed along and struggling over 4f out
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well
held up behind, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader until 5f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no impression
led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
REFRACTOR was not certain to stay the 1m2f here last time, but it proved no problem and he only just failed to catch the winner with today's rivals Turbulent Priest and Bondie well behind. This longer trip should suit on that evidence and James Fanshawe's charge is preferred to Western Approaches. The latter has won a bumper and is fit from hurdling as she makes her debut on the Flat, while Phonic has been running well over longer trips in handicaps and he could also figure. Vertibes finished a creditable third on his debut at Lingfield last week and is another to consider.
Before Bruce 5-1 (11-5) Jumoed slowly 1st, chased leaders, slight lead after 1st until slow and headed next, chased leaders, ridden before 6th, lost place next, struggling in last pair 3 out, eased before next, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Crack At Dawn (10-10) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Phonic (IRE) 6-4fav (9-9) Chased leaders, headway 5f out, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd well over 1f out, soon hung left, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Hit The Switch (9-9) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Bert The Alert 11-4fav (10-12) Raced wide, held up headway on outside over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 8l behind Stock Hill Fair (10-12) at Fontwell 1m 6f n h flat 3yo (6) sft in Oct.
Bondie 66-1 (8-12) Always in rear, ridden 6f out, behind final 3f, last of 9, 43l behind Camborne (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Give Or Take Where Or When gelding out of Tata Naka.
Refractor (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to challenge winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Camborne (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
The Snorer 66-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon with leader, pushed along and weakened over 3f out, last of 13, well behind Ardlui (8-9) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Turbulent Priest 66-1 (9-3) Went left start, soon in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Camborne (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Vertibes 6-1 (9-3) Raced green in touch in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders (promising), 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Calypso Cay (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Western Approaches 11-10fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, hit 4th, led 2 out, soon headed, 3rd and unable to quicken when mistake last, no extra, 4th of 11, 5l behind Young Mags (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
