tracked leader, closed over 3f out, led 2f out, soon driven, headed and weakened inside final furlong
held up, dropped to last and struggling over 3f out, eased when well beaten final furlong
chased leaders, driven 3f out, chased winner under pressure inside final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd well inside final furlong
led at good pace, clear 7f out, reduced lead over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong
slowly away, held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 5f out, driven and struggling final 2f
tracked leaders until ridden along and lost place 5f out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Massif Centrale is taken to defy an absence at the expense of Mister Completely, Zibeline and Galantos, with Sea Map not out of it entirely. Massif Centrale has hardly hit the heights since contesting the Vodafone Derby in 2004, and has been off the track since finishing last of eight in a class 2 contest at Yarmouth in September. However, this low-key affair will surely not stretch him, and David Elsworth's six-year-old can stamp his class on this field if anywhere near fit. Mister Completely in contrast to the seletion, lines up on the back of two wins at Kempton of late, but he is barely better than Banded-class and is beatable. Zibeline is better known for his exploits over fences these days, but will at least have no stamina problems, while both Galantos and Sea Map have most weight to carry, having been put in to be claimed for more than most. The market should be a pointer here, but we are happy to side with Massif Centrale.
Sea Map 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on, 4th of 13, 5l behind Cumbrian Knight (10-9) at W'hampton 2m 1f amt hcp (6) pol.
Massif Centrale 28-1 (9-6) Always in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 27l behind Rationale (7-12) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Mister Completely (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) In touch, hard ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating War At Sea (10-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Alisar (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Climate (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol.
Zibeline (IRE) 7-4fav (9-10) Held up, steady headway from over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, edged right under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Moonshine Bill (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f clm (6) gd in Sept.
Pocket Too 20-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden 6f out, headway when not clear run over 2f out, stayed on again towards finish, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Little Richard (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Scuzme (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up last pair, headway into 4th over 2f out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 12l behind King of Music (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol.
Serramanna 14-1 (8-7) Mid-division to rear, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened, 12th of 14, 10l behind Amwell Brave (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
