chased leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on towards finish
taken to post early, dwelt pushed along in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and ran on towards finish, just failed
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened insided final furlong
keen tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and all out
switched right and soon led under stand side rail, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
pushed along towards rear, ridden halfway, edged right and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
Chester winner Secret Look ran below par in testing ground at Haydock last time when BLUE LOTUS finished runner-up. The latter can go one better with a 5lb claimer taking over the reins. Shiatsu won his maiden at Sandown in September but has yet to race in soft going and Senator Bong was a disappointing favourite in heavy ground at Windsor last time having won at this track before that. Oscars Journey won a maiden last month and can figure along with the mostly consistent Balinka.
Secret Look 5-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 8l behind Dutch Masterpiece (9-7) at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Blue Lotus (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Dutch Masterpiece (9-7) at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Shiatsu 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders on rail, effort over 1f out, got through on rail inside final furlong, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, just held on, all out, won at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep beating Extrasolar (9-3) by ns, 13 ran.
Senator Bong 5-2fav (9-4) Raced keenly, chased leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Reliant Robin (9-4) at Windsor 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Work Ethic (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Dream Ally (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Oscars Journey 5-4fav (9-3) Raced keenly, made virtually all, went far side in straight, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well, eased close home, won at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) hvy in Oct beating Tregereth (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Balinka 9-1 (8-9) Went left start, raced alone wide of main group, close up, ridden halfway, every chance 1f out, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 12, 2l behind March (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct.
Poppy Bond 6-1 (8-13) Dwelt, in rear, ridden halfway, some headway over 1f out, never a factor, 7th of 12, 9l behind Delores Rocket (8-8) at Carlisle 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Sep.
Tumblewind 22-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace over 1f out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Dutch Masterpiece (9-7) at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (2) hvy in Oct.