tracked leaders, slightly hampered and dropped rear 7th, ridden 5 out, soon beaten
tracked winner, blundered badly and unseated rider 7th
made all, clear when not fluent last, comfortably
held up in rear, headway 6th, went 2nd 8th, effort 3 out, soon one pace
held up in touch, pushed along 5 out, effort next, 3rd and weakening when blundered last
Just For Ger has been raised eight pounds for a win in a run-of-the-mill Ayr event. Mighty Fine is a dual chase winner at Sedgefield and is now nine pounds higher than for the last of them, on Boxing Day. He might just be sharper for the outing following a 79-day break. Nephite - one of only two course and distance winners in the race - has won from a mark of 88 (now 85) which clearly brings him into calculations. The other c/d scorer, Dan de Man, has shown little form over the past year but, if back to near his best - he has won from a mark of 88 over fences, admittedly back in November 2001 - must hold a chance off a mark of just 70. Garden Party II is worse off with Just For Ger for having been well beaten by him at Ayr. All in all, Nephite looks to have the best credentials and is the selection.
