led to 2nd, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat
tracked leader and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, struggling from 4th
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden to lead last, all out
held up, struggling from 4th, tailed off
held up mid-division, keen, led 2nd, ridden and hit 2 out, headed last, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden along 5th, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, pushed along approaching 4th, soon lost place
in touch, took close order 3 out, ridden and weakened next
held up towards rear, headway after 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
This should be a formality for Sasso, with Astronomical and Esquillon two likely contenders to chase him home. Sasso came good on only his seventh start on the Flat for Barry Hills and lost no time at all in making his mark over timber when scoring on his debut for Jonjo O'Neill at Folkestone recently. The form is nothing to get carried away about, but he has been found a soft opportunity to defy a penalty and should have no problem following up. Astronomical won a handicap at Nottingham in the summer, and like Sasso, was trained by Barry Hills on the level. He was rated higher than his former stablemate on the Flat but is best watched on his timber debut. Esquillon got bogged down in the heavy ground when fifth on his Maket Rasen bow, and was no great shakes on the Flat. The market may throw up another potential place prospect, but the one to be on is undoubtedly Sasso.
Sasso 8-11fav (11-0) Keen hold, tracked leader, led going easily well before last, soon clear, easily, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov beating Corker (11-0) by 5l, 13 ran.
Able Charlie (GER) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, behind from 4th, 9th of 13, 44l behind Fair Along (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
Another Misk 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, hit 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lankawi (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Astronomical (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, every chance under pressure 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 6l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Goodwood 1m stk 0-80 (4) gd in Sept (Flat).
Aviemore 50-1 (9-0) Always behind, 8th of 11, 17l behind Play Me (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Lane Marshal 20-1 (10-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 5th of 13, well behind Gardasee (11-0) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (F) gs in Nov.
Esquillon 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, challenged when not fluent 5th, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no impression when mistake last, 5th of 13, 11l behind Ivana Illyich (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Satin Rose 66-1 (10-7) Keen, mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 6th of 10, 22l behind Kalmini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Nov.
