tracked leader, headway to lead over 2f out, under pressure 1f out but kept on strongly and eased close home
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, some headway final furlong but never able to get competitive
led, headed over 2f out, ridden but soon weakened
mid-division, chased along halfway, under pressure 2f out, weakened final furlong
settled in third, pushed along 2f out, went second over 1f out, kept on but no match for easy winner
raced in fourth, driven along over 2f out, stayed on same pace
niggled along just worse than mid-division, driven and under pressure over 2f out, weakened and eased 1f out
dropped in at rear, still last 2f out, moderate late headway but never a factor
Bergerac has only had five starts and ran his best race since his debut when runner-up at Wolverhampton last month, though could have done without a 2lb rise. He was beaten a short-head by Tommy Tittlemouse when both made their debuts at Hamilton in July, though that was on ground with plenty of give. Julie Johnston won twice last summer, though has a long absence to overcome, while Thornaby Pearl made a promising handicap debut on his first start for Adrian Nicholls at Newcastle and should strip fitter. READMAN showed nothing in two starts last summer but it was a different matter on his comeback at Newcastle earlier this month where he made strong late headway over the minimum. He makes his handicap debut here and looks well enough treated to gain his opening victory
Bergerac (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Wudashudacuda (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Tommy Tittlemouse (IRE) 150-1 (8-6) Slow into stride, always towards rear, 13th of 15, 11 1/2l behind Line Of Departure (8-12) at Doncaster 7f stks (2) gd in Sep.
Julie Johnston 15-2 (8-13) With leaders, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, last of 5, 8 1/2l behind Fantasy Master (9-0) at Nottingham 5f (4) sft in Oct.
Footstepstothehart (IRE) 17-2 (9-10) Chased leaders far side of group, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 6 1/4l behind Enderman (8-11) at Redcar 6f (5) gs in Sep.
Tiny Danser 7-1 (9-0) Led, headed 2f out, pushed along and struggling over 1f out, lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Diamondonthehill (9-5) at Redcar 7f stks (6) gd in Apr.
Thornaby Pearl 12-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, edged left and shaken up over 1f out, soon not clear run and switched left, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd after, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Royal Advice (9-5) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Under Fox (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Raced wide and led this pair until over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Tahonta (9-2) at Pontefract 6f (4) sft in Oct.
Royal Guard (GER) 5-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 6 1/2l behind Portelet Bay (8-13) at Redcar 6f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Readman 20-1 (9-5) Off the pace in last pair, headway and still green over 1f out, went 3rd and ran on inside final furlong, not hard ridden, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Havagomecca (9-0) at Newcastle 5f stks (3) pol in Apr.
