close up, hit 2nd, reminders 5th, ridden 3 out, chased winner next, plugged on same pace, lost 2nd flat
not fluent held up in rear, pushed along before 8th, ridden next, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led 8th, clear 3 out, jinked left approaching last, ridden out
led, headed 8th, ridden next, hit 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, ridden soon after 3 out, outpaced approaching next, headway approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd flat
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out until weakened approaching next
Nonrunner
VODKA ISLAND is a winner without a penalty having landed a conditionals' race at Ludlow recently. Richard Johnson's presence boosts confidence that she can go in again. Hassadin was still beaten a distance when placed in soft ground at Fontwell last month and would prefer faster going but Optical High looks a bigger threat on his recent third at Hexham. Vinegar Hill continues to slide down the weights without showing any benefit as of yet and Deportation is another on the slide.
Vinegar Hill 6-1 (10-13) In touch in mid-division, mistakes, lost place 3rd, well held from 7th, plugged on flat, 5th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Flemensmix (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Vodka Island (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent 3rd or 6th, headway 7th, went 2nd after 9th, not fluent 3 out, closing when blundered last, led flat, stayed on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Ordensritter (11-3) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Deportation 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced before 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 21 1/2l behind Notonebuttwo (10-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Optical High 10-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed before last, kept on, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Dusky Bob (11-3) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Whatsupjack (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up, behind 5th, mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Black Lily (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) In rear, ridden and went 3rd 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Shaky Gift (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Lady Vivona 100-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out to chase leaders, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 9, 18l behind Dusky Bob (11-3) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Hassadin 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 9th, joined when hit 3 out, ridden and headed well before next, no chance with easy winner, weakened into 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 34l behind General Girling (10-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Exit To Freedom 25-1 (10-0) With leader, pushed along before 6 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
