in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, led after 1f, ridden when headed inside final furlong
tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, hung right on bend over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
never dangerous
in touch, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
always towards rear
towards rear, ridden 1f out, headway soon after, ran on
led for 1f, stayed prominent until weakened and eased over 1f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway 3f out, carried right on bend over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong
held up and keen, switched right 1f out, rapid headway to chase winner close home
A difficult race for punters and ACTION IMPACT is our idea of the winner with Vine Street and Bullet Man put up as the dangers. Gary Moore's charge was an emphatic winner of a handicap at Great Leighs on his latest start and in that sort of form, he should be difficult to beat. The difficulty comes in the form of Vine Street. He hasn't really been tested as yet in handicaps and having dotted up again and being brought out to the well quickly, the handicapper can only react with punitive penalties. Bullet Man represents a yard that are having success with their runners but he was bitterly disappointing last time out so it is to be hoped that this was merely a bad day at the office. Munich hinted at more ability than he necessarily showed in Ireland but this is a big leap up in trip. Hold The Gold is often backed but it is the bookmakers that have been smiling. Halsion Chancer has ability but is very inconsistent. L'Hirondelle won easily at Kempton and has set the handicapper an intriguing task. Bee Stinger is entitled to have come on for a first run back for some time. Action Impact is the call.
Bee Stinger 18-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly over 2f out, soon driven and weakened, last of 9, 13l behind Spinning (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Halsion Chancer 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 6l behind Internationaldebut (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
L'Hirondelle (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, made all, shaken up and clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Kempton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Nov beating Sestet (8-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Cactus King 50-1 (9-4) In rear, ridden, struggling 3f out, 19th of 20, 25l behind Yamal (9-5) at Goodwood 1m hcap (3) gd in Jul.
Remember Ramon (USA) 13-8fav (9-11) Raced keenly, soon led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Action Impact (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Munich (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no extra and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 24, 15l behind Ounooi (8-9) at Curragh 1m app hcp sft in Sept.
McConnell (USA) 5-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden on outside 2f out, no impression on front pair when hung right 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Vineyard (8-8) at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Twilight Star (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge, every chance when bumped over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Titan Triumph (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Action Impact (ARG) 2-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, effort 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Dream of Fortune (9-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Vine Street (IRE) 4-7fav (9-5) Made all, clear 2f out, eased towards finish, readily, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Teasing (9-6) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bullet Man (USA) 6-4fav (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f, 4th of 10, 5l behind Lyceana (8-9) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Hold The Gold (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, good headway over 1f out, finished well, gaining towards finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Wellington Square (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.