chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, keen early, switched left and headway over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, pressing towards finish, just held close home
chased leaders, led over 1f out, pressed well inside final furlong, held on well
soon switched right, chased leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble front pair
held up in mid-division, well beaten over 1f out
led until 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, effort and switched left over 2f out, no impression, well beaten inside final furlong
BLUE FLAME posted his best effort so far when runner-up at Chelmsford on his handicap debut. Ed Dunlop’s grey can go one better in this. Absolute Dream has been winning over 6f including at this venue while Shalaa Asker finished closer over the same distance at Chelmsford. There was little between Lord Oberon and Bronze River over track and trip last time with the former looking the more favourably handicapped.
Lord Oberon 10-1 (9-5) Chasers leaders stands side, ridden under 2f out, kept on same pace until weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Vindobala (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Shalaa Asker 17-2 (9-4) Close up, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Helvetian (9-0) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Blue Flame (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and rallied at 2f, ran on inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Legende D'art (8-13) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Absolute Dream (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Ridden away from stalls, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Somewhere Secret (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Bronze River 8-1 (8-9) Awkward start and dwelt, in rear and switched stands side after 1f, pushed along under 3f out, hampered against rail and lost balance well over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched right and ran on closing stages, nearest finish, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Vindobala (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Equidae 50-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, well beaten over 1f out, 8th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Kilconquhar (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Tie A Yellowribbon 9-1 (9-6) Close up, led over 5f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final 100yds, 5th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Masham Moor (8-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Cmon Cmon (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Harvest Day (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.