held up in rear, driven after 3 out, never involved
prominent, led narrowly 3 out to next, kept on and every chance after last, soon ridden, no extra and lost place closing stages
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division after 3rd, chased leaders before 2 out, never on terms, weakened flat
made most to 3 out, soon lost place and behind, pulled up next
prominent early, mid-division, chased leaders before 2 out, soon outpaced and ridden, never on terms, weakened flat
tracked leaders, poised to challenge after 3 out, led narrowly next, ridden and kept on flat, all out near finish, just held on
held up, always towards rear
mid-division on inside, tracked leaders 4th, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and rallied well flat, closing near finish, just failed
mid-division, headway on outside 4th, hit next, lot place before 2 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, outpaced by front pair before last, soon ridden, rallied flat, closing near finish, just held
prominent, driven and lost place after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
CHRISTMAS IN USA (NAP) won a conditionals’ race easily enough at Sedgefield last week and escapes a penalty. He’s also won for Lucy Alexander in the past and another bold bid is expected. Head Lad wasn’t beaten far when fourth at Stratford and can race off the same mark today while Miss Amelia was beaten less than a length when placed at Southwell last month and Amie Waugh takes 5lb off her back for this. Thomas Blossom usually finds at least one too good nowadays and did so again at Hereford recently while Nefyn Point represents last year’s winning yard and may improve on this second outing after wind surgery.
Ulysses (GER) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, struggling after 3 out, mistake 2 out, 5th of 9, 29 1/4l behind Pride Of Lecale (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Nefyn Point 11-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, in 3rd before 3 out, blundered 2 out, one pace, 7th of 14, 21 3/4l behind Frightened Rabbit (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Canny Style 100-1 (9-11) Dwelt in rear, behind from 6f out, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Cornerstone Lad (9-9) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Christmas In Usa (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Raced keenly, led before 2nd, not fluent next, went clear before 4 out until next, went clear again before last, readily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Millie The Minx (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Hermanus (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 29 1/4l behind Ballyhome (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Head Lad (FR) 3-1jfav (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Petrucci (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, headway under pressure after next, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Wisecracker (10-8) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Miss Amelia 11-1 (10-1) Held up in touch in last pair, headway 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, rallied as leader idled run-in, close 3rd when carried right and bumped towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1/4l behind Percy Thrower (10-5) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Mandarin Princess 40-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 2 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Wor Verge (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Scrutinise 11-1 (10-12) In touch, pressed leader after 4th, lost place when ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 30 3/4l behind Top Decision (11-9) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Port Lairge 150-1 (8-12) Missed break, always in rear, reminders over 7f out, soon lost touch, continued tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Thahab Ifraj (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
