chased leaders until weakened rapidly inside final 3f
behind most of way
slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, stayed on one pace final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon ridden and behind most of way
led, ridden over 2 lengths clear 1f out, no extra and headed final 100 yards
raced alone in centre course, with leader, hung badly right from over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
held up in rear, headway over 1fout, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, steady headway from 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead final 100 yards, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out
always behind
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
A difficult apprentice handicap to start the card and a narrow vote is given to Lockstock, Dixieland Boy and Blandford Flyer could provide most danger. Most of these are out of form at present but not the selection. He just had to be pushed out hands and heels to beat Nashaab at Chepstow last time. At his age he is not getting any better but a similar effort today should see him go very close. Dixieland Boy is having his first run in a handicap following three promising efforts in maidens. He hails from a shrewd yard so keep an eye on the betting. Walter Swinburn's string are in good form and Blandford Flyer showed enough last season to suggest he is on a pretty fair mark this afternoon. The pick of the others could be Emotive, but in a wide open affair we return to Lockstock as our idea of the winner.
One Good Thing (USA) (8-0) In touch until dropped back quickly before straight, 12th of 14, 25l behind Private Possession (8-7) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f std in Dec.
Harcourt (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Behind until moderate headway final furlong, 9th of 16, 7l behind Olimpo (9-11) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Scutch Mill (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, in rear when hampered after 2f, behind and no chance after, 7th of 8, 21l behind Cloud Atlas (9-3) at Kempton 1m app hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Aastral Magic 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, never a factor, 13th of 15, 9l behind Country Escape (9-6) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Soon chased leader until over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Ahmedy (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Dixieland Boy (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Pulled hard in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Vino (8-12) at Salisbury 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Lockstock (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Nashaab (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Emotive 6-1 (8-2) With leaders, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, hampered just over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Inside Story (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f clm (6) gf.
Ermine Grey 7-2fav (8-10) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 9, 6l behind William's Way (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Threezedzz 25-1 (9-8) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakening when hampered over 2f out, last of 16, 28l behind Mountain Pass (9-0) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Bank On Benny 9-1 (9-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on well, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Apres Ski (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Admiral Compton 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 14l behind Burgundy (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Murrumbidgee (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, taken wide on bend 5f out, headway over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Todlea (11-4) at Goodwood 1m 1f amt hcp (5) gf.
Charlie Bear 7-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 16, 4l behind Red Rudy (9-10) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Blandford Flyer 16-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 13l behind Luckylover (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Dream of Dubai (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, not clear run on outside over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 15, 2l behind Trevian (8-13) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
