held up, driven and struggling before 11th, no chance when mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
led to 4th, tracked leader, not fluent 7th, mistake and lost 2nd at 11th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, well behind when hit 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, not fluent 6th, weakened under pressure before 3 out
held up in rear, pushed along after 7th, headway 11th, chased winner soon after 3 out, held when mistake last, plugged on run-in
held up, ridden and struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
in touch when blundered and lost place 9th, well tailed off 11th, plugged on run-in
tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, led 3 out, soon driven along and stayed on grimly from next
chased leaders, driven along from 10th, weakened after next
raced keenly, tracked leader, made most from 4th to 3 out, weakened under pressure before next
Finzi, English Jim and Mooresini look to be the leading lights in a tricky contest for punters to call and the vote is given to Finzi. The selection was a good second behind Moorlands Again at Warwick last time. He is proven on this soft ground and he should be suited by the drop in trip, so he looks to have everything in his favour for a big run. English Jim looks to be on an upward curve and he is also effective with plenty of cut in the ground. He remains lightly-raced and should give our selection plenty to think about. Mooresini ran okay on soft ground at Towcester last time behind Ask The Umpire but his overall form leaves him with a little to find today on these terms. Ballyhoo is in decent form and looks the best of the rest, but Finzi has plenty to recommend him and gets the vote.
Ballyhoo (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Novacella (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs hcp hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Finzi (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-0) Tracked leader for 6, chased leaders until regained 2nd approaching 16th, one pace from 3 out, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Moorlands Again (10-13) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Dec.
Mooresini (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Ask The Umpire (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 80-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden and struggling after 8th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Zipalong Lad (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
English Jim (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Prominent, lost place 5th, ridden and headway 3 out, beaten when blundered last, 4th of 12, 15l behind Businessmoney Jake (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Ockley Flyer 50-1 (10-2) In touch, ridden after 4th, soon behind pulled up 3 out in race won by Hilarious (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Lyrical Lily 50-1 (10-5) Led to 1st, prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 41l behind Prestbury Knight (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, reminders 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 26l behind Qualitair Pleasure (11-7) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov.
Optimo (GER) 50-1 (10-12) In touch, hit 4th, reminders next, lost touch 8th, soon tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Denarius Secundus 20-1 (10-0) Prominent until 6th, one pace after, 7th of 14, 30l behind Sandmartin (10-11) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
