held up in touch, challenged and hit 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead run-in
led to 4 out, led again 3 out, pressed from 2 out, headed run-in, kept on
tracked leaders and keen, headway before 2 out, went 3rd from last, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened
in rear and in touch, headway before 2 out, weakened last
Nearly all of these have questions to answer of some description. Cliffside Park did run a subsequent winner to less than two lengths at Southwell but is conceding weight all round. Serenity Now has strong claims on his second at Fakenham last month when Minstrel Royal was favourite but a well-beaten last of three. SPORTY YANKEE is only a four-year-old and appears in this lowly grade for the first time. He hasn’t shown much since winning a Ffos Las maiden a year ago but that was on soft going so he has conditions in his favour.
Cliffside Park (IRE) 7-4 (11-4) In touch in 4th, headway before 4 out chased winner after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Octagon (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Minstrel Royal 6-4fav (10-9) Led, ridden and pressed 3 out, headed soon after next, kept on same pace, last of 3, 14 3/4l behind Occasionally Yours (10-1) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Sporty Yankee (USA) 66-1 (8-10) Went left start, held up, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 25l behind Velvet Revolution (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Hazariban (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Soon in rear, no extra from before straight, tailed off, 12th of 16, dist behind Granny Biddy (10-12) at Cork 2m 3f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Prince Kup (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, slow 6th, soon under pressure, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Serenity Now (IRE) 7-4 (10-11) Close up in 3rd, ridden 2 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Occasionally Yours (10-1) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Nov.