narrow lead, headed inside final 4f, chased leader, driven along 3f out, still every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leading trio, effort to 3rd 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, came between horses over 1f out, soon driven, stayed on to 3rd well inside final furlong, no impression on leading duo
took keen hold, pressed leader, led inside final 4f, kept narrow advantage, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort under pressure and one pace over 1f out
always behind, struggling 3f out
held up well in rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, readily
mid-division on outside, pushed along over 2f out, never troubled leaders after
chased leading pair until 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear, no chance final 3f
Dr Wintringham will give backers a good run for their money however ELUSIVE RONNIE can be devastating when on song and a chance is taken on him ahead of Sir Mozart and Batchworth Blaise. Roger Teal's enigmatic gelding didn't enjoy a trip to the seaside last time but this course specialist will relish a return to the all-weather today. He tends to get behind in his races but is a really strong finisher when the mood takes him and it would be no surprise to see him run well. Sir Mozart wasn't particularly well-fancied last time out but ran a good race in third and is respected for shrewd connections, Dr Wintringham continues to run well in defeat but is only 1 from 19, so a bigger threat may be course and distance winner Batchworth Blaise who is only 3lbs higher than his last win. The consistent duo of December and Kielty's Folly are consistent but the latter needs a lot of luck in running, whilst Novastasia is thrown-in on her old efforts if bouncing back to form after a winter in the fields. Not a strong race and the feeling is that Elusive Ronnie can pick them up late on.
Cottonfields (USA) 66-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 17l behind Bawadi (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (4) pol in Aug.
Dr Wintringham (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Hobson (8-11) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Elusive Ronnie (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Always towards rear on outside, struggling final 3f, 15th of 16, 26l behind Musical Script (8-13) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Sir Mozart (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ride A White Swan (11-0) at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
December 3-1fav (9-2) With leader, ridden and effort well over 1f out, outpaced entering final furlong, soon lost place, stayed on again towards finish, no impression, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Rough Rock (8-11) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Kielty's Folly 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Scruffy Skip (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Burnbrake 16-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, riddn 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 9l behind Millfields Dreams (8-8) at Kempton 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Batchworth Blaise 25-1 (8-2) In rear, stayed on well entering final furlong, nearest at finish, 8th of 14, 5l behind War And Peace (8-12) at Salisbury 7f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Haasem (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 21l behind Yourgolftravel Com (8-12) at Brighton 7f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Novastasia (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, lost place 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 11th of 13, 13l behind Granny Mcphee (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Oct.
Seven Royals (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) In rear, never a factor, last of 11, 9l behind Rough Rock (8-12) at Folkestone 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Aggbag 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 10l behind Quiet Mountain (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.