towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
led, headed 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up, effort and some headway 3f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, led 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, switched right over 1f out and again inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish
in rear, ridden 4f out, headway over 2f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, ridden and every chance over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, weakened 3f out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Gambling Spirit has the scope to beat her mainly older rivals, with Daring Affair, Toparudi, African Sahara and Little Bob just a few more with claims. This is another tricky contest to weigh up, but the least exposed of the whole lot is Gambling Spirit who may turn out to be a blot on the handicap. Henry Candy's three-year-old filly may not have beaten much on her belated return at Lingfield in September, but she was well backed beforehand so was obviously expected. Having been sent on three furlongs out, the daughter of Mister Baileys only just hung on over the 13-furlong trip, so the step back in distance should help her cause, and off a mark of 65 she should make a bold bid. Daring Affair has only had three outings this season, and improved to land an apprentice event at Doncaster last time. Not harshly treated, she should also make her presence felt. Toparudi finished really well when just failing to get up at Yarmouth last time, and will go on the ground, while African Sahara bids for another course win, having scored here the time before last. He is still very well treated compared to last year, but has topweight to overcome. Little Bob made all at Ayr last time and is another that will handle the conditions, but a tentative vote goes to Gambling Spirit.
Daring Affair 16-1 (9-5) Led for 2f and keen, remained close up, ridden and switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Monash Lad (8-10) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Toparudi 8-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden and led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, gaining near finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Bobby Charles (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Parnassian 8-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 20, 3l behind Kingsholm (8-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
Little Bob 3-1 (8-5) Made all, ridden over 2f out, clear from over 1f out, won at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct beating Oldenway (8-11) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 25-1 (8-8) Behind until kept on final 2f, never on terms, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Press Express (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Gambling Spirit 10-3 (8-8) In touch, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept beating Beauchamp Tiger (8-13) by a shd, 14 ran.
African Sahara (USA) 5-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) std in Oct beating Law Breaker (9-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
McEldowney 6-1 (8-0) Pushed along mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Tcherina (8-1) at York 1m 4f app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
