chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader until over 3f out, hung right and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, headway to chase leaders 6f out, ridden 5f out, hung right and weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner
slowly into stride, never travelled in last pair and pushed along throughout, well behind final 3f
always prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led until ridden 2f out, no impression on winner final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
Nonrunner
Nice Style would have every chance if running up to his best form on Polytrack, but he was beaten a long way at York last time albeit in better company. Doncaster winner Bonfire Night should do better back in this grade, but Sour Mash may need his first outing for his new yard. Mountain Hiker has been off the track for some time and drops back in trip for his handicap debut, but Alazan is fit from hurdling and is not without claims. HUYGENS has a recent comeback at Kempton under his belt, however, and gets the vote racing off a 1lb lower mark than when runner-up in better company at Sandown in September.
Bonfire Knight 12-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and lost place over 3f out, 13th of 20, 16l behind Pekan Star (8-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Sour Mash (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Raced center towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 14, 14l behind Spoken (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sep.
Classic Colori (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) In rear, not troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Jutland (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Shavansky 25-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra last 100 yards, 5th of 20, 7l behind Pekan Star (8-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Mountain Hiker (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway and switched left over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jul beating La Concorde (8-9) by 4l, 9 ran.
Huygens 9-2 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 14, 3l behind Merchant Of Medici (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol.
Licence To Till (USA) 33-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, disputed lead, definite lead over 8f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Rock A Doodle Doo (9-3) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Nice Style (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 20, 15l behind Pekan Star (8-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Alazan (IRE) 4-1fav (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 20, hd behind Salden Licht (9-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct.
Starkat 66-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway and switched left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not able to trouble leaders, 6th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Ceilidh House (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gs in Nov.
