chased leaders on outside, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders on inside, hampered on rail over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, plugged on final furlong, no threat
mid-division on outside, headway over 2f out, disputing 3rd 2f out, bumped well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd post, never quite going pace to challenge
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
stumbled start, in rear, never dangerous after
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
held up off the pace in mid-division, headway between horses over 2f out, edging right when bumped well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, lost 3rd post
towards rear, hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
awkwardly away, held up towards rear, not clear run on inside over 2f out, headway between horses over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, not reach winner
THE HAPPY HAMMER doesn't win very often nowadays but is back on a winning mark and it could be his turn again after going close at Kempton. Ghost Train has been threatening to win over 6f of late but is closely matched with Shifting Star on running over track and trip in November. Divine Rule scored here in the same month and has won off higher marks than this in the past so looks the pick of the remainder ahead of the frustrating Childesplay.
Ghost Train (IRE) 9-2fav (9-7) Soon led, hard ridden when headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Indus Valley (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Shifting Star (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Led, pulled hard, hard driven when headed 2f out, soon rallied, faded final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Malaysian Boleh (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Hellbender (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 10l behind Be Royale (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Childesplay 25-1 (8-9) Chased leading pair on inside, 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and not pace on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Hill Of Dreams (8-12) at Kempton 7f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol.
Pearl Ransom (IRE) 7-2fav (9-9) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Classic Colori (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol.
The Happy Hammer (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 5th of 14, 3/4l behind Elusive Ellen (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Bertie Blu Boy 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, driven over 2f out, lost place and ridden over 1f out, gradually weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind Foie Gras (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6).
Divine Rule (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd final 50 yards, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Bosstime (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Sea Soldier (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 12, 8l behind Meddling (9-3) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol.
West Leake (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Awkward leaving stalls, held up in last pair, ran on inside final furlong pressing for 3rd close home but never any chance with winner, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Clearing (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Thundering Cloud (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Refused to race, in a race won by Rememberance Day (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol, 11 ran.
