tracked leaders on inside until weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, closed under hand riding, not reach winner
held up, headway 2f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, ridden, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, led 3f out until over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
pulled hard, led at strong pace, ridden, headed 3f out, weakened rapidly over 2f out
Red Birr gets the call over Birkside and Solo Flight, with Scotch Pancake not to be left out of calculations entirely. Those mentioned have all done enough to suggest that they can take a hand in the finish, with preference for Paul Webber's Red Birr who was just touched off by Cusoon on his last visit here in October. That was the fourth time that he has found one too good since scoring here last December, and granted luck-in-running, he has the credentials to go one better under Brett Doyle. Birkside was also narrowly beaten at Kempton last time, and although still a maiden, will not be one for much longer. Solo Flight is at the other end of the spectrum, the nine-year-old having won six of his 63 lifetime starts, but none on the all-weather to date. He looks to have it to do against the selection, while of the rest, Scotch Pancake, who ran much too freely here 19-days ago, makes a bit of appeal in receipt of weight from all. Red Birr deserves to get his head in front though, and can do so here.
Kylkenny 33-1 (9-1) Led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened rapidly over 2f out, last of 13, 18l behind Sweet Indulgence (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Activo (FR) 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 14l behind Descartes (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (3) pol in Oct.
Solo Flight 16-1 (9-3) Took keen hold in touch, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Sweet Indulgence (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Silver Blue (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) In touch, effort 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 3l behind Best Prospect (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy in Oct.
Red Birr (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-5) Held up, headway on outside 4f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, rallied and just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Cusoon (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (5) pol in Oct.
Chief Exec 25-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon ridden in rear, never a factor, last of 13, 9l behind Bobski (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Primitive Academy 40-1 (9-12) Led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 33l behind At The Money (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Scotch Pancake 9-2 (8-12) Soon led, keen, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 12l behind Shout (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
Grand Jour (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Led at good pace, headed inside final 3f, weakening when hampered 2f out, 13th of 14, 18l behind Persian Express (7-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol in Sept.
Birkside 9-4fav (9-2) Close up, chased winner 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Khun John (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
