slowly into stride in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd near finish
raced wide towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impresssion
keen tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, quickened to lead just inside final furlong, soon pressed, ran on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, ran on but always held
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden and no impresssion 2f out until stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, never a factor
keen, raced wide close up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, kept on one pace
Squirrel Wood certainly wouldn't be winning out of turn and is likely to be in the firing-line again. Fonterutoli won off a higher mark over course and distance last winter but Hamble hasn't shown much on the all-weather so far while Gypsy Rider finished a distant last on his only previous try over a mile. Stamina could also be a problem for Birdie Queen but three of UNCLE FRED's four victories have come over the trip and Patrick Chamings' eight-year-old has done enough lately to suggest he's back on a decent mark - the top weight gets the nod.
Uncle Fred 16-1 (8-12) Dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 3l behind Sonnetation (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Gypsy Rider 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind One Last Dream (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Hamble 5-1fav (8-6) Mid-division, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Minimee (8-6) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Birdie Queen 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, pushed along halfway, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Tiger's Home (9-0) at Bath 6f 3yo app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Squirrel Wood (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Sweet Vintage (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Fonterutoli (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 13, 9l behind Bobs Her Uncle (9-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Norphin 10-1 (9-4) Held up towardcs rear, headway centre over 2f out, driven into one paced 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 11l behind Sword of The Lord (9-9) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Cativo Cavallino 16-1 (9-1) Took keen hold chasing leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 8l behind Sonnetation (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Cuthbert (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Awkwardly away, never on terms, 10th of 12, 15l behind The Great Gabrial (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Arte Del Calcio 25-1 (8-10) Slowly away, in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind April Ciel (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy in Sep.
First Glance 28-1 (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 11l behind Red Paladin (9-2) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Litmus (USA) 28-1 (8-9) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and headway on outside final furlong, stayed on to chase winner towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Pim Street (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
