led to 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway and hung right 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, not trouble winner
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and hung right
held up towards rear, headway 5th, challenged going well from 3 out, no extra flat
with leader, led 3 out, stayed on well flat
ROISIN'S PRINCE is marginally preferred to Supsonic, Kerayasi and Mean Machine. The selection benefited from the fitting of a tongue strap to prevail in a three way finish over course and distance nine days ago and looks capable of following up in a similar contest. He has something to find at the weights but that was also the case last time and the tenacity that he showed last time wins him the vote. Supsonic is the highest rated horse in the race and merits respect dropping to this grade for the first time; he hasn't shown a great deal in two starts this autumn but trip and ground appear fine. Kerayasi is another dropping in class having failed to get competitive on his handicap bow. Gary Moore's runners at this level always command respect and the market should be revealing. Mean Machine is an interesting contender despite finishing well beaten in a Uttoxeter seller last time and is another for whom support would be encouraging but we'll stick with the proven claims of Roisin's Prince.
Beths Choice 25-1 (10-5) Held up, stayed 2nd, headway 5th, chased leader after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 21l behind Star Tenor (10-5) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Mean Machine (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Led, raced keenly, headed 3rd, led, hit 4th, not fluent 5th, headed, not fluent 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 21l behind Sandy's Legend (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Roisin's Prince (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden and challenged approaching 2 out, led after last, edged right towards finish, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Coconut Beach (11-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Sandy's Legend (USA) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, went left, led flat, headed final 75 yards, stayed on under pressure to regain lead post, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Mad Professor (10-12) by a ns, 8 ran.
Beech Games 20-1 (11-3) Keen, prominent, blundered badly and lost place 1st, mistake 3rd, headway and mistake 5th, soon ridden and beaten, 6th of 10, 13l behind Satindra (11-6) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Dickie Deano 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division, weakened and lost place quickly from 3f out, 15th of 16, 35l behind A One (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f sll (6) gs in Aug (Flat).
Kerayasi (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 31l behind I'm A Legend (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Supsonic 11-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 11, 25l behind Spare Me (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Ilewin Rose 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, weakened 5th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Lazy Darren (10-7) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
