took keen hold tracking leaders, weakened after 3 out, no chance when blundered last, tailed off
chased leading pair, 2nd before 2 out, ridden to lead before the last until last, weakened run-in
held up towards rear, blundered 3 out, driven between last two, never on terms
mid-division on inside, weakened before 2 out
last pair, pushed along and struggling in rear after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, no threat
tracked leaders on inside, 3rd before 2 out, every chance last, driven and chased winner run-in, no impression and just held on for 2nd
held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, driven along between last two, went 3rd run-in, kept on and nearly snatched 2nd, no impression on winner
led, dived at 2nd, ridden and pressed between last two, headed before the last, still pressing leaders at the last, 4th and one pace run-in
chased leader, stumbled 5th, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd and weakened rapidly before 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
raced wide chasing leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up towards rear, good headway and switched left before 2 out, ridden to lead last, driven clear run-in
chased leaders, weakened quickly soon after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
An ultra-competitive handicap in which most would have some sort of chance. Polamco is improving and on a hat-trick. But he'll be short enough in the betting and has little to spare over Saffron Wells on their run together at Newbury. The latter has since finished third in the Lanzarote at Kempton but was beaten 17 lengths by the easy winner. Imperial Leader has never been the most reliable and returns from a break while Mijhaar has gone up a further 3lb for finishing second at Ayr. But novice Anteros could be interesting and there is more to come from Wetherby second Mr Grey. Cadoudoff has gone close in his last two starts and he has more scope than El Dancer, Hansupfordetroit and Invicta Lake. JUNCTION FOURTEEN (NAP) made mistakes at crucial stages when fourth to Batavir over this trip at Wincanton on Boxing Day but he's clearly capable of going close in a race like this off his current mark and he'll be staying on better than most in the closing stages. Pay The King could find this company too hot.
Mijhaar 9-4fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, went 2nd and mistake last, kept on and no impression with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Cultram Abbey (10-1) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy.
Junction Fourteen (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, no impression with front pair from next, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 12, 7l behind Batavir (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway tracking leaders before 3 out, disputing 2nd soon after 3 out until definite 2nd before 2 out, never any chance with very easy winner, lost 2nd at the last, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Tea For Two (9-12) at Kempton 2m 5f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft.
Cadoudoff (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked winner, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat, not able to challenge, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Blue Buttons (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Anteros (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 8th, one pace in 3rd when not fluent 2 out, no impression on leaders, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 11l behind Three Musketeers (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft.
El Dancer (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd when not fluent 3 out, 3 lengths down flat, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Brandon Hill (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Hansupfordetroit (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway before 6th, led 4 out, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Awaywiththegreys (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Mr Grey (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Led, ridden before last, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Smooth Stepper (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Polamco (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Took keen hold, led 1st, joined 2 out, soon ridden, narrowly headed last, hung right and bumped run-in, soon led again, held on gamely in closing stages, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Morito Du Berlais (11-6) by nk, 8 ran.
Imperial Leader (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Not always fluent, pressed leader until led 9th, headed 3 out, one pace before last, 4th of 7, 8l behind San Telm (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, fell 6th, in a race won by Rolling Maul (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs, 10 ran.
Pay The King (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 10l behind No Planning (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
