slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer
steadied into mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3f out, lost place 2f out
led, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, led over 1f out, hard ridden, kept on well under pressure
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inner over 3f out, driven over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on final furlong, never troubled leaders
reared start, behind, switched right and headway well over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never able to challenge
chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra close home
slowly into stride, soon with leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, rallied and stayed on well towards finish
held up in mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
An open contest where BLUE CHARM might be able to repeat last year's win, while French Art is respected and Ansells Pride could go well. This is not a race to be dogmatic about, with plenty of them out of form, without a recent run, or exposed, but our selection looks the percentage call. The Ian McInnes-trained gelding races from a mark 1lb lower than that which he won from in this race last year. He has found it impossible to add further success to his CV in 11 starts since then, but he has now slipped down the handicap again. His course form is a positive, though genuine good ground would probably be ideal, but we will take a chance on him. French Art acts on this ground and was once rated as high as 84 when taking a Windsor maiden a couple of seasons ago on good to soft. He has run reasonably well from similar marks to today's on his last two starts, and this is potentially a little easier, so he could go close. Ansells Pride has won from today's mark and twice from higher in the past, but he has been unable to claim a victory for almost two years. This is his optimum trip and he won't mind the ground, so he has a couple of things going for him, and with the yard in good form he could pick up some prize money. Wiseman's Diamond goes well here and on fast ground, but he has been thrashed on his last two starts and has plenty to prove at present, while Fiefdom and particularly Hits Only Jude have stamina doubts at this stiff track. Shadowtime has the ability to win it but has fitness to prove after a winter break, while Aussie Blue is worth a market check, and Cherri Fosfate represents a yard going well and will want a strong pace to bring his stamina into play, but has frame claims. Blue Charm is a tentative selection.
Daniel Thomas (IRE) 11-4fav (8-3) Dwelt, in rear, hampered 1f out, switched right, stayed on towards finish, never near, 5th of 8, 7l behind Networker (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Wiseman's Diamond (USA) 8-1 (8-13) In touch, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 11th of 16, 25l behind West End Lad (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Ansells Pride (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon chased winner, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 9l behind Fujin Dancer (8-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
French Art 14-1 (9-1) In rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong never nearer, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Fujin Dancer (8-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Cherri Fosfate 33-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 19l behind Cornus (7-13) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Blue Charm 20-1 (9-4) In rear, not trouble leaders, 8th of 11, 9l behind Bernix (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 16, 39l behind West End Lad (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 7-2fav (8-3) Mid-division, headway well over 1f out, kept on to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Tangerine Trees (9-3) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Xpres Maite 11-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 16, 6l behind West End Lad (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Fiefdom (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Batchworth Blaise (8-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Shadowtime 9-2 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Lujano (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Musigny (USA) 9-2 (9-5) Slight lead until ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 38l behind Pretty Orchid (8-9) at Redcar 7f sell stks (6) sft.
