held up in rear, ridden and headway on outer over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
always in rear
pulled hard, prominent, ridden and weakened tamely 2f out
pulled hard mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, driven and all out
in touch, raced wide, ridden from 3f out, one paced final 2f
held up mid division, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
slowly away, always behind
keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to challenge winner inside final furlong, held near finish
held up mid division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on under strong pressure to go 3rd inside final furlong
dwelt, held up towards rear, headway on outer 3f out, soon ridden and one paced
Nonrunner
A chance is taken with Effigy in the finale, while Blue Eyed Eloise, Trouble Mountain and Stalking Tiger are others for the shortlist. Stalking Tiger contests a handicap for the first time and as hardly been punished from a mark of just 67. This step up in distance ought not to be a problem and he represents a solid option for a place in the frame at this level. Trouble Mountain is an old hand in races of this nature and this wily old character should not be underestimated. This course suits him well and, from a winning mark; supporting Mick Easterby's charge has solid foundations. Blue Eyed Eloise is respected on the best of her efforts and has to be given a second looks when her recent form is taken into account. However, she has bit to prove on turf and is not one to be going overboard with. Therefore, preference goes to Effigy, who admittedly, is a more adventurous option. Henry Candy's gelding is still open to a fair amount of improvement and, as he rounded off last season in the style of an improving horse, the son of Efisio can give us a good run for the money in a wide open conclusion to the Nottingham action.
King of Rhythm (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Mid-division, raced stand side entering straight, ridden 3f out, one pace, 10th of 18, 12l behind Jewelled Dagger (8-9) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Willow Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In rear, shaken up over 6f out, effort when not clear run over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 11l behind Aypeeyes (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Out Of Nothing 25-1 (7-11) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, 9th of 14, 13l behind Mojito Royale (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Magdalene 8-1 (9-5) Held up, towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Royal Auditon (8-4) at Folkestone 1m 4f fll hcp (5) sft.
Stalking Tiger (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Led until headed over 1f out, not pace of front pair final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Shadowy Figure (9-3) at Windsor 1m mdn stk (5) sft in Oct.
Joshua's Gold (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 13l behind Street Life (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Penny Island (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 14, 12l behind Celtic Spa (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul '05.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 25-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Street Life (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Never Pink (FR) (8-10) Raced in 2nd, challenged over 1f out, driven to lead final 100yds, won at Nantes 1m 4f mdn stk hvy in Nov beating Pyrame (8-11) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Babieca (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, never going well, weakened 3f out, 5th of 6, 12l behind One Night In Paris (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Mar.
Effigy 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Pitbull (8-10) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Mae Cigan (FR) 17-2 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 3l behind Hibiki (8-5) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
Trysting Grove (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Susie May (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Dream of Fortune (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Held up, headway to track leaders 7f out, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 8, 4l behind Trifti (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Blue Eyed Eloise 4-1 (9-1) Held up going well, improved to lead 1f out, stayed on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Kings Topic (8-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Akram (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Mid-division, soon driven along, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Sands of Barra (9-4) at Chester 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
