held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up, ridden 2f out, some headway entering final furlong, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
always towards rear
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
outpaced
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, slightly outpaced 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, soon switched right, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, headed well inside final furlong, stayed on
We end with a wide open handicap where plenty of these runners have a chance but from a good draw EKTIMAAL can follow up on his course and distance success last time to just get in front of Zebrano and Taurus Twins. After getting the better of the in form River Kirov in the final few strides on his latest start the selection is up five pounds which seems a fair assessment. The late nature of that victory suggests he might be hard to catch from a handicapping point of view and could so us more over this trip. Zebrano ran a cracker in defeat at Brighton on his last run finishing just two lengths off the winner, who has since grabbed a second place in listed company, so off the same mark has to be respected. Taurus Twins is up just four pounds for a victory last time out over the minimum trip and although he has won over this far he is yet to convince on this surface. Billy Red is up in the weights despite defeat last time and will have to show his best to score and Little Pete looks a value price after narrowly missing out under this burden on his last run. It's tight stuff to finish with and the marginal call looks to be Ektimaal
Sunrise Safari (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 6th of 18, 4l behind Servoca (8-6) at Doncaster 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.
Cerito 33-1 (8-8) Well outpaced in rear, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, closing finish, 4th of 10, 2l behind Green Manalishi (9-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Drawnfromthepast (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden and pressed leaders inside last, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 10, 2l behind Orpenindeed (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Little Pete (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Set steady pace, ridden and quickened over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Bahamian Lad (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Ektimaal 11-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, plenty to do from 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on strongly to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating River Kirov (9-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Johnstown Lad (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, no impression straight, 9th of 14, 5l behind Copper Dock (9-1) at Dundalk 6f hcp 60-100 pol in Oct.
Ajigolo 33-1 (9-2) Mid-division, lost place 2f out, soon eased, last of 11, 31l behind Red Cape (9-0) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Zebrano 18-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Arthur's Edge (9-5) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
Billy Red 9-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, going well, switched right over 1f out, ridden and unable to quicken, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Gwilym (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Doric Lady 16-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway when hampered 2f out, edged left and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 7l behind Arthur's Edge (9-5) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
Taurus Twins 9-4fav (9-1) Made all, under stands' side, ridden 1f out, stayed on, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct beating Frisbee (8-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Even Bolder 5-1 (8-13) Held up and soon well off the pace towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 14, 6l behind Magical Speedfit (8-4) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
