dwelt in rear, rapid headway on inside over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, ridden and ran on
slowly into stride in rear, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd
in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd
led to post, led, clear halfway, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, weakened 2f out
raced wide held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
In an open looking handicap a slight chance is taken with SERIOUS DRINKING. Walter Swinburn's runner is still unexposed and after a much improved effort when racing at Wolverhampton last time when only just held off this mark the hope is that there is more to come. Final Drive was winning going away last time so is given a chance of his revised mark but might not be suited by this sharper test while Eastern Hills is clearly on form and only found one too good off this weight when last out. Bubbly Braveheart is another to consider by usually needs further to be at his best.
Final Drive (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) In rear, headway on outer from over 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol beating Strike Force (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Valentino Swing (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Behind, pushed along halfway, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 5th of 11, 4l behind Tubby Isaacs (9-4) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Hip Hip Hooray 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, under pressure halfway, eased over 2f out, virtually pulled up, 10th of 11, 35l behind April Fool (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Having A Ball 9-2 (8-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Sep beating Daniel Thomas (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
King's Caprice 8-1 (9-2) Led to post, steadied start, held up ridden well over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not able to reach leaders, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Conry (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Edgeworth (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, tracked leader inside final 4f, led over 2f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 12l behind Goodlukin Lucy (9-2) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Serious Drinking (USA) 7-2fav (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Sensationally (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol.
Twilight Star (IRE) 9-4 (8-11) Hampered and swerved left start, headway to track leaders over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Anjomarba (8-9) at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) gs in Aug.
Eastern Hills 8-1 (8-9) Close up, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind McConnell (9-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Before The War (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Mid-division on inside, outpaced over 5f out, soon lost place and behind, never a factor, 10th of 11, 32l behind Hail Bold Chief (9-2) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Provost 12-1 (9-6) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 12l behind True To Form (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Vezere (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, raced wide towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, travelling well over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 14, 4l behind Room For A View (8-12) at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Bubbly Braveheart (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on well, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Buona Sarah (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Lean Machine 8-1 (8-12) Held up, headway and switched right well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Norman Orpen (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
