led early, tracked leader, ridden to lead again just over 1f out, ran on well
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, well beaten inside final furlong
ridden away from stalls, soon led, driven and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
towards rear on outside, driven and no impression over 1f out, stayed on final 75 yards
held up in rear, not much room over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well to take 3rd close home
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, unable to trouble winner
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 2f out, no impression after
slowly away, in rear, some headway on inside over 1f out, no impression and well held inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on, not able to challenge inside final furlong
Taajub has won this three times in the past, including last year, though a slide down the weights since then suggests he may not be the force of old nowadays. Come On Dave ended last year with a second at Kempton and could figure but Verne Castle’s winning run came to an end off today’s mark at Wolverhampton, though he still finished ahead of Rosealee. Burning Thread went close at Wolverhampton last time but VIMY RIDGE posted a better effort over track and trip on his latest start and may finally have dropped far enough down the handicap to get his head back in front. Fly True and Mossgo are both upped in class having gone close on their respective latest starts.
Verne Castle 13-2 (9-3) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Zac Brown (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Secret Asset (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division on outside, weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Son Of Africa (9-8) at Sandown 5f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Come On Dave (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Raced keenly, led, pushed clear over 1f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Outrage (9-9) at Kempton 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Rosealee (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 10, 5 1/4l behind Zac Brown (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Burning Thread (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd well inside final furlong, soon ridden and hung right, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rich Again (9-2) at Newcastle 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Vimy Ridge 7-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Swiss Cross (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Taajub (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Held up, pushed along over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Royal Mezyan (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Fly True 5-1 (9-4) Started slowly, held up towards rear, effort on wide outside and ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind You're Cool (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Mossgo (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Led, edged right over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind The Big Lad (9-5) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
