held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on from next, no impression
prominent, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms
with leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened from 2 out
in touch, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 2 out
held up, pushed along and outpaced halfway, some headway 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, chased winner from 3 out, no impression
mid-division, headway 8th, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well
in touch, ran wide and lost place after 6th, headway 3 out, no impression
always behind, reminders after 3rd, never dangerous
held up and keen, weakened after 4 out
soon chasing leaders, one pace from 3 out
Those at the top of the handicap look the ones to follow, with Double Deputy preferred to Ballyhale, Polar Gale and Taras Knight. Double Deputy was good enough to score three times on the level for Godolphin, but then lost his form completely and has had his attentions switched to the winter game by John Quinn. In truth he has not looked one to follow, but he did shape with a great deal of promise when a staying on second at Sedgefield in December, and with further to travel here, hopes are high that he can go one better off his current mark. Ballyhale was put in his place by Wally Wonder at Catterick, but that was his first outing since June so he is entitled to improve, while Polar Gale is not out of it here based on his past efforts. Taras Knight bombed out badly here last time, and has more to do than when landing a seller previously, but his stable is in good form at present, so he is also worth a mention, but Double Deputy is out to make up for lost time, and can stamp his class on this moderate field.
Polar Gale (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3rd, led again 6th, hit and headed 3 out, every chance between last 2, kept on, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Super Baby (10-9) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Ballyhale (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up behind, headway to chase winner 3 out, stumbled next, one pace, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Wally Wonder (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Double Deputy (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, rallied after next, ridden to go 2nd before last, kept on, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind That's Racing (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Taras Knight (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, lost place 5th, ridden approaching 3 out and soon beaten, 15th of 17, 31l behind Bogus Dreams (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Rouge Et Noir 16-1 (10-11) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Red Sun (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gf in Sept.
Bayside 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leading pair next, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 9, 22l behind Tell Henry (11-0) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Donna's Double 33-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 8th of 13, 22l behind Majorca (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Greek Star 5-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Barney (9-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in May, 8 ran.
The Right People (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Quibble (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace, 9th of 17, 13l behind Magnificent Seven (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Sybarite Chief (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, 38l behind Glinton (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
I'll Do It Today 11-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out and soon weakened, 11th of 17, 21l behind Bogus Dreams (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
James Bay (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, remainders after 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when hampered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Ken's Dream (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul, 14 ran.
Kyber 6-1 (11-12) With leader, hit 5th, not fluent next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Perfect Balance (11-6) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 16 ran.
Buffy 25-1 (11-4) In touch, weakened 4 out, 13th of 19, well behind Negus de Beaumont (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.