always towards rear
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on until one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
always behind
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders until one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on to chase winner final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, led again over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong
always towards rear
tracked leader, headway to lead over 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, gradually weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong
always towards rear
El Coto takes a drop in grade, and that might be enough for him to see off Lago d'Orta and Defi in a trappy affair. El Coto was successful in a similar contest at Hamilton in August, but since then has struggled to get his head in front. He was behind Oeuf A La Neige here the time before last, and was then stone last of 16 in a Leicester handicap on his latest start. So, he is not exactly reliable, but based on his record overall, Kevin Ryan's charge is worth another chance and gets the vote under Jamie Spencer. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since Lago D'Orta won a Listed race for Clive Cox, but he is undoubtedly well treated these days, and if anyone can exploit that, Dandy can, so he is worth keeping in mind. Ian Semple had Local Poet down to run here, but relies instead on Defi, and any market support should be heeded. There are plenty of question marks over the rest, and for the winner we return to El Coto.
Pianoforte (USA) 11-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, some headway 2f out, never near to challenge, 10th of 15, 12l behind Gala Sunday (10-1) at Redcar 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Campo Bueno (FR) 25-1 (8-0) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, last of 19, 26l behind Memphis Man (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy in Oct.
Lago d'Orta (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, effort over 3f out, never trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 9l behind Kings Point (10-0) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (6) gs in Sept.
Longy The Lash 100-1 (8-10) Switched left start, always behind, 11th of 15, 22l behind Emily's Place (8-9) at Haydock 1m 3yo mdn clm (6) gf in Aug '06.
Star of The Desert (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 13th of 17, 12l behind Flighty Fellow (8-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
El Coto 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 16, 33l behind Teodora Adivina (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Oeuf A La Neige 9-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 13l behind Little Bob (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy.
Defi (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 16l behind El Coto (9-10) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm (6) gs in Aug.
Second Reef 28-1 (8-12) Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 7, 31l behind Ballyhurry (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (6) gd in Jun.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 1f out, no extra, 12th of 14, 18l behind Spinning (8-13) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Mister Pete (IRE) 18-1 (9-10) In touch, driven and outpaced over 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Gala Sunday (10-1) at Redcar 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Familiar Affair 50-1 (8-6) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind Star Magnitude (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb '06.
Sarraaf (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden well over 2f out, no headway, 10th of 12, 11l behind Time To Regret (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Insubordinate 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Kings Point (10-0) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (6) gs in Sept.
