took keen hold, hampered after 1f, tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer
held up, pushed along over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, headed near finish
slowly away towards rear, never on terms
held up, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
close up, headway over 1f out, ridden to challenge leader inside final furlong, stayed on to lead near finish
in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
raced wide close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra
in rear, ridden and hung left from 2f out, never a factor
led, jinked right after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Esspeegee landed a double at Brighton earlier and returns to action off a 4lb higher mark. Western Way went close over 7f here recently and this longer trip should not be a problem for the winning hurdler while Bollihope slips further down the weights having been thereabouts over 1m2f. But FALCON’S FIRE landed a double in September last year that included a success over course and distance and Keith Dalgleish’s charge gets the nod off today’s lower mark having shown signs of a resurgence at Lingfield last time.
Western Way (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Held up in mid-division, lost place 4f out, edged left 3f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, not able to quite challenge, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Lotara (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Bollihope 10-1 (9-2) Keen, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Rayaa (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Falcon's Fire (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Close up, lost place 8f out, in touch, wide into straight 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Music Major (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Magistral 20-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Equiano Springs (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Leonard Thomas 20-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Bollin Ted (8-13) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Life Knowledge (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, switched right over 1f out, headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 7l behind British Art (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Esspeegee 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, just held on post, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Oct beating Kilim (9-6) by shd, 13 ran.
Bigbadboy (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, went 4th close home, 4th of 15, 4 1/4l behind Quoteline Direct (10-12) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Nov.
Mitcd (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, in 3rd before 2 out, led last, hard pressed, headed towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Bollin Line (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Percy Verence 66-1 (9-10) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 15 1/2l behind Love Conquers (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Noble Aussie (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division on inner, ridden in 10th over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 22, 3 1/4l behind Happy Company (9-3) at Navan 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Wind Turbine (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 6th of 8, 15 1/2l behind Francis Xavier (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
