close up tracking leaders, went 3rd 3f out, went 2nd entering final 2f, led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and held closing stages
soon steadied in 5th, moderate effort on inside to 4th over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8f out, led over 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed over 1f out, rallied gamely to lead again inside final furlong, on top closing stages
led after 1f, steadied halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased winner until entering final 2f, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, settled 3rd 8f out until 3f out, rallied to 3rd again over 1f out, no chance with leading duo
BEGGERS BELIEF wasn't beaten far despite finishing only sixth at Lingfield last month and had scored over 1m2f here before that with Sir Randolf behind. A line through the latter gives him the beating of Dolly Colman and Eric Wheeler's charge makes more appeal than Shirataki. The latter popped up at a massive price at Lingfield last time but it remains to be seen if he can repeat that performance off a higher mark. Novel Dancer ran well in an amateurs' race on his penultimate start, but Spade and Mayan Flight look to have a bit to find.
Spade 20-1 (8-4) Slightly hampered and dwelt start, took keen hold in rear, chased leaders on outside over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 4th of 5, 4l behind Encore Un Fois (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f app clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Nov.
Beggers Belief 15-8fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Woop Woop (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Sir Randolf (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, lost place 6f out, rallied 4f out, pushed along and weakened over 3f out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Mazij (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Shirataki (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, driven to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol beating Prince Of Thebes (8-11) by shd, 14 ran.
Dolly Colman (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Honourable Knight (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mayan Flight (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden on outside 3f out, hung left well over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 14l behind Castlemorris King (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Novel Dancer 8-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 4f out, pushed along before 3f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Baan (10-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f amat hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.