tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on well
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
led until over 2f out, weakened quickly
held up towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon driven, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, under pressure over 3f out, soon driven and effort, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on gamely under pressure
always behind
mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten
always behind
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure
held up, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Not a very strong handicap and one where ALFIE TUPPER might be good enough to stay ahead of the field this time, while Atacama Sunrise might go well again and Sedgwick is interesting after a lengthy break. The last-named represents a yard going well and has not been seen since April 2008. His sole success came in a soft ground Nottingham handicap from a mark of 60, way back in May 2007. This has always been his trip and presumably connections have persevered because they think there is prize money to be won, so if there is market support for him it will probably be significant. Alfie Tupper is selected, however, and he also proved himself over this trip and on the surface last time when just collared close home to finish runner-up behind Chalice Welcome. He has won from higher marks elsewhere in the not-too-distant past and now that we have seen a return to better form we will side with him. Atacama Sunrise was the surprise winner of a course and distance claimer last time and with just a 2lb rise is likely to again be competitive, while Pachakutek did not appear to get home over 1m 1f last time, so still has to prove his stamina, in spite of his pedigree. Marmooq has conditions and trip to suit and is weighted to be competitive without winning and we will stick with Alfie Tupper to get it right this time.
Maximus Aurelius (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Intersky Charm (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Vinces 15-2 (8-13) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 7l behind Chalice Welcome (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Grit (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Close up, led 4f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 12l behind Moheebb (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (5) sft in Sep '08.
Marmooq 5-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Chalice Welcome (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Atacama Sunrise 33-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead towards finish, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Dec beating Fujin Dancer (8-13) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Naheell 16-1 (8-10) Towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, 8l behind Young Dottie (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Sedgwick 12-1 (9-1) Stumbled start and lost ground, in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, stayed on, 7th of 12, 5l behind Xpres Maite (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) gd in Apr '08.
Venir Rouge 11-4fav (9-1) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Kames Park (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Pachakutek (USA) 15-2 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Bestowed (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 9th of 12, 6l behind Fernando Torres (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Alfie Tupper (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Led early, tracked leader, challenged over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, ns behind Chalice Welcome (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Dream Huntress 20-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ran wide straight, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on strongly towards finish, going on close home, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Wunder Strike (8-11) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-62 (6) pol in Dec.
Inch Lodge 4-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on under pressure towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Freedom Fire (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Close up, effort to have every chance when hung right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Dinner Date (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
