chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders
chased leaders, effort to lead narrowly 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on
with leaders, ridden and effort 2f out to over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards
reared start, always towards rear, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders on inside, effort to challenge over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead narrowly inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards
always behind
led, headed over 4f out, in touch, ridden inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
missed break, behind until headway on outside to go prominent after 2f, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
with leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same poace, no impression inside final furlong
The lightly raced four-year-old GOLD STORY ran his best race so far when runner-up over a mile here recently. Open to further improvement and with headgear applied for the first time, he's taken to get the better of his more exposed opponents. Itsthursdayalready finished runner-up over C&D on his debut at the track but his poor strike rate tempers enthusiasm and Norcroft's victory in this event in 2009 was the last time he won a race. Downhill Skier has been placed here before and could make the frame.
Downhill Skier (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Khajaaly (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Itsthursdayalready 11-4fav (8-7) Led early, chased leaders, every chance 2f out, carried slightly right over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Olympic Dream (8-9) at Southwell 7f stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Dec.
Sweet Possession (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 28l behind Kingswinford (9-6) at Salisbury 7f clm stks (5) gd in Jun.
Penrod Ballantyne (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Took keen hold in touch, headway over 2f out, soon every chance, hung left over 1f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 16l behind John Potts (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Captain Bluebird (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra towards finish, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Swansea Jack (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Oct.
Kielty's Folly 11-2 (8-12) Led early, with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 11l behind Bentley (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Gold Story 9-2 (8-7) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, went 3rd 3f out, chased winner 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind D'Urberville (9-10) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Sion Hill (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 13, 5l behind Climate (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec '09.
Baraconti (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 12l behind D'Urberville (9-6) at Southwell 1m hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Sophie's Beau (USA) 12-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, never near leaders, 8th of 10, 15l behind Lets Move It (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Norcroft 15-2 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway to challenge on outside over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra when well held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Tell Halaf (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
