slowly into stride, always behind
held up towards rear, under pressure 2f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on well closing stages
tracked leader, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
reared start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
set steady pace, keen hold, headed 3f out, faded quickly, eased over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, effort over 1f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
settled in mid-division, weakened over 2f out
There's not much between the trio at the top of the weights. Hurricane Spirit won a shade more easily than the narrow winning margin would suggest at Kempton last week and should confirm running with the third Lisahane Bog, who had won at the same track before that. Terry Clement's charge is also closely matched on earlier running with Nibani, though something went badly amiss with the latter at Wolverhampton on his latest start. Hurricane Hymnbook has been raised 8lb and is upped in class after last month's C&D win and a chance is taken on DARING INDIAN, who was having his first start since April when fourth at Wolverhampton in October and there should be more to come from the French import on his handicap debut.
Hurricane Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Dwelt, held up in touch on inside, eased out going well over 1f out, went 3rd approaching final furlong, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Understory (9-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Nibani (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Towards rear, lost action and pulled up over 3f out, in a race won by So Wise (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct, 12 ran.
Lisahane Bog 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Hurricane Spirit (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Winning Spark (USA) 7-1 (9-9) In rear, headway on inner over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Beat Route (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Buxfizz (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Always in rear, never involved, last of 10, 12l behind Proud Chieftain (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Focail Maith 8-1 (9-4) Held up, headway 3f out, soon chased leading pair, every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Carinya (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov.
If You Whisper (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, rapid headway on wide outside to chase leaders halfway, went 3rd over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 9l behind Proud Chieftain (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Strong Vigilance (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 11, 17l behind Epernay (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
High On The Hog (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon switched left, ridden along to lead after 1f, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 22l behind Spanish Plume (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Daring Indian 16-1 (9-0) In touch, effort 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 3l behind Ajeeb (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Strike Force 25-1 (8-10) Raced wide held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 3/4l behind Where's Susie (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Hurricane Hymnbook (USA) 3-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Lord Lansing (9-8) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Choral Festival 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Beat Route (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) In rear, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 22l behind Hidden Glory (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov.