behind, headway after 6th, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 5th, one pace from 3 out
mid-division, lost place after 4th, ridden, headway approaching 3 out, hit last one pace flat
in touch, led approaching 3 out, driven out
mid-division, hit 6th, soon weakened
with leader, led 3rd to 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders to approaching 6th
led to 3rd, led again 4th, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on approaching last, never dangerous
behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, on right, weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner 3 out, ridden next, not quick in flat
pulled hard, always behind
Ball Games and Ballito both come into this on the back of back of wins in selling handicaps last time and have to be respected but face no easy task giving weight away all round and preference is for Nowator. The selection faded quickly once headed in a handicap chase when last seen in August but this represents a big drop in class for the eight-year-old who is best in, by some way, on official BHB ratings. Ambersong has claims on the pick of his form but represents a stable badly out of form and of more interest may be Irish raider Auetaler, particularly if the market speaks in his favour. Trianger has given little cause for optimism and a safer net looks to be Nowator, who is taken to make the most of the favourable terms.
Ball Games 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5th, led and mistake 2f out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Oct beating Maunby Rocker (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ballito (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led 2 out, hit last, ran on flat, won at Ludlow 3m sll hdl (G) gf in Oct beating Knight Of Silver (10-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Ambersong 11-1 (11-8) Held up, steady headway 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Indian Star (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (G) sft.
Auetaler (GER) 20-1 (9-13) Never a factor, 10th of 18, 12l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-6) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl 81-123 gd in Sept.
Forbearing (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Pulled hard in rear, hung left throughout, weakened 4 out, 6th of 7, 15l behind Outside Investor (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (F) gf in Sept.
Nowator (POL) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led briefly 4 out, weakened 3 out, 9th of 10, 41l behind East Tycoon (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in Aug.
Trianger (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, 8th 4 out, headway next, moderate 3rd and ridden before 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 13, 27l behind Alternative Route (10-13) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl gf in Aug.
My Sharp Grey 33-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden behind 3 out, one pace, 6th of 11, 13l behind Idle Journey (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) frm in Oct.