prominent, weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, weakened before 5th
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon chased winner and going well, ridden run-in and not quicken
tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden after last, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
led to 5th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
close up, ridden before 2 out, weakened from last
TRIPLE EIGHT (NAP) has only been raised 3lb since last month's course and distance victory in a higher grade and Adam Nicol's claim takes care of that. He's won on good to soft on the Flat so should handle the easier surface and will be hard to beat. It's impossible to have much faith in Gunner Lindley given he had every chance at Sedgefield on Friday when beaten 14 lengths. Moonlone Lane's win at Fairyhouse came over fences over a much longer trip but Sendiym has the past form to figure and can't be discounted.
Rioja Day (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never involved, 7th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Chitu (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Triple Eight (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway under pressure 2 out, stayed on before last, challenged and kept on run-in, led towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Urban Kode (11-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sirpertan 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 14 1/4l behind Toola Boola (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Moonlone Lane (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Soon tracked leaders on inner, headway to lead at 7th, joined 4 out, lead again entering straight, ridden and stayed on well from last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp hvy in Nov beating On The Shannon (11-10) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Authinger (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out to chase leaders, weakened 2 out, 9th of 10, 30 3/4l behind Miss Joeking (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Gunner Lindley (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon pushed along and outpaced, 2nd of 3, 14l behind Caraline (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Sendiym (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Towards rear when mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, never a factor, 5th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Blades Lad (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.