mid-division, closed from 5th, switched left after 2 out, led last, ridden out
always towards rear, well beaten 3 out
towards rear, not fluent 3rd, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place after next, headway before 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace flat
prominent, challenged 3 out, soon led, not fluent 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat
chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, pulled hard on outside, closed 2nd, not fluent next, weakened 2 out, mistake last
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, not reach winner
led, not fluent 2nd, slow 4 out, headed after 3 out, no extra flat
Top Beak failed to cope with a further 7lb rise when on a hat-trick at Ffos Las in June and hasn’t raced since. Peterborough has placed the last twice but is probably better over fences but Man Of Light should figure on his close second at Kempton being only 2lb higher while Daire McConville was on Orchard Grove when he started his winning run at Stratford in August. FRED BEAR has plenty of experience for a three-year-old and ran well on his handicap debut at Warwick so is just preferred to Sergeant, who has already won three times this season under Mitch Bastyan.
Orchard Grove (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, not much room 5th, challenged after 3 out, led next, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Lonimoss Bareliere (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Borak (IRE) 125-1 (9-4) Led over 14f out, headed over 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, dist behind Beggarman (9-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Top Beak (IRE) 15-2 (12-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th until before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Clearly Capable (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Peterborough (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leader 4th, close up 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed before last where mistake, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 13l behind Yauthym (11-11) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Man Of Light (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Led, over 1 length ahead last, ridden run-in, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Kensington Art (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
James Park Woods (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, reminders and struggling after 4 out, ridden and plugged on before 2 out, never involved, 6th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Kensington Art (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Full Aux Rois (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, led, headed and lost place tamely 3 out, soon pulled up, at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Sergeant (FR) 5-6fav (11-3) Slightly reluctant lining up and led in start, well away, raced keenly in rear, smooth headway out wide going well 3 out, led before the last, joined and bumped run-in, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Hackbridge (11-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Fred Bear (IRE) 3-1 (10-4) Led and raced keenly, soon clear, reduced lead before 4th, ridden between last two, mistake and headed last, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Opening Bid (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
