keen tracked leaders, ridden and headway to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places close home
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, faded inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened entering final furlong
headway to join leader after 2f, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
slow into stride, raced wide headway to track leaders over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slow into stride, in rear, ridden and headway on inner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on
in touch, ridden and headway entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on
soon pushed along in rear
raced wide in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Several of these went close on their latest starts including the Irish challenger Groundfrost, Captain Pugwash and Spirit Of Sarwan, who all finished second over 7f. Mach One is holding his form well though remains 6lb higher than his most recent success while Ladies First makes her handicap debut having placed in all three starts in maiden company. But LA SIOUX is the least exposed after beating a subsequent dual winner at Catterick on her racecourse debut in August and Richard Fahey’s filly gets the nod on that form
Espresso Freddo (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final 2f, kept on same pace, weakened final 100 yards, 12th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Swift Emperor (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Mach One 11-8fav (9-12) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, pressing for 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Mama Africa (9-6) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Groundfrost (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Veena (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Dec.
Dark Magic 12-1 (9-1) Led to post, dwelt held up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Call Out Loud (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Enigmatic (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division and keen, tracked leaders, over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Mullarkey (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Spirit Of Sarwan (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Dwelt in touch over 4f out, headway on inner over 1f out, chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Varsovian (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Nick Vedder 11-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, ridden and outpaced by winner over 1f out, no impression in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Excel Again (8-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Shadow Warrior 5-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7 1/2l behind Bedouin (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Jul.
La Sioux (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, detached in rear, close up over 3f out, driven to chase leaders on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to press leader inside final 100 yards, led post, won at Catterick 7f mdn fll stks (5) gd in Aug beating Nuns Walk (9-0) by ns, 4 ran.
Ladies First 11-4 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out, just won the duel for 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Jack The Truth (9-5) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (6) pol in Dec.
Captain Pugwash (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) In touch, pushed along 3f out, headway when not clear run approaching final furlong, effort inside final furlong, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ubla (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
