held up in touch, went 2nd 6th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and edged left flat, driven out
held up, went 2nd and jumped left 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and not quicken when switched right near finish
led until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in touch, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off
held up and behind, headway 3 out, reminder before 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader to 6th, pushed along and weakened 3 out, tailed off
This looks between the two penalised horses Prince Kayf and OVERTHETOP. The former won over 2m6f here in November when beating a subsequent winner but the latter had a subsequent dual winner back in third when scoring at Carlisle on his penultimate start. Olly Murphy’s charge can be excused last month’s defeat in Grade 2 company at Sandown and can return to winning ways back at this level. It’s difficult to make a case for any of the rest given their poor form to date though Atlantic Dancer debuts under Rules having joined Alistair Whillans’ yard.
Overthetop (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) In touch, pushed along before 2 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 6th of 7, 21 1/4l behind Enrilo (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Prince Kayf 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, driven after next, went 2nd 2 out, hit last, ridden and stayed on under pressure flat, edged left and led towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 6f (2) hvy in Nov beating Imperial Alcazar (11-3) by 1l, 8 ran.
Bear That N Mind (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, dropped to mid-division after 3rd, no danger after, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Big Bad Bear (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Shouldn't Be Here (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, driven to chase front pair before 3 out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened from next, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Lemon T (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Atlantic Dancer (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) In tch til mist 13; wl bhnd 15, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Fashionistalady (11-7) at Balcormo Mains 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Black Opium 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, not fluent 2nd, lost touch from 6th, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Evander (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.