held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, under pressure 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, switched right, headway over 1f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer
slowly away, always behind
mid-division, headway over 3f out, with leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, held on well under pressure
tracked leaders, raced keenly, effort 1f out, stayed on strongly, not reached winner
Ninth House, Tom Paris and Smokin Joe make the shortlist in this trappy handicap, with Ninth House taken to go one better than a good second last time. A winner at Wolverhampton in December, Tom Paris hasnt won since but hinted at a return to form on a return visit to Dunstall Park last time. He has not dropped down the handicap much considering that winless run and is passed over. Smokin Joe had gone three years without a win before scoring at Kempton last time. That was a good effort, but his six pound penalty can stop him-he is totally exposed. Ninth House has had a spell in the doldrums this year but his handicap mark has been sliding. His last two runs have been very encouraging and he looks on a winning mark despite top weight. Ninth House can take this.
Ninth House (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, nk behind Councellor (9-3) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Leptis Magna 25-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 11l behind Duchess Royale (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Stanley George (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 11, 8l behind Will He Wish (9-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Aggravation 7-2fav (9-7) Held up in rear, headway on inside to press leaders over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Im Ova Ere Dad (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Tom Paris 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway when hampered and switched right over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 9, 3l behind Abbondanza (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Smokin Joe 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, soon edged right, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Turn Me On (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Meditation 8-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Titan Triumph (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Run For Ede's 16-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out, ridden and every chance, 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 3l behind Potentiale (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Dushstorm (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up, wide entering straight, soon hung left, no progress, 10th of 12, 9l behind Gaelic Princess (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.