chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, strongly pressed closing stages, kept on well
behind, headway bewtween horses over 1f out, went 3rd soon after and kept on same pace
chased leadrs, ridden 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on closing stages, always just held
chased leaders on inside, outpaced 3f out, headway on inside and hung left from over 2f out, stayed on same inside final furlong
led, joined 4f out, headed halfway, lost 2nd 3f out, chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon recovered to chase leader, challenged 4f out, led halfway, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon headed, lost 2nd and weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
None of these inspire confidence and the speculative vote goes to EASTERN GIFT. A repeat of his second over a mile here last month would be good enough to land this, while Dunmore Boy was having only his second start since April when seventh over 6f here last time and he too could figure. Jonnie Skull, Gracie's Gift and Vogarth can boast C&D form, though the latter is badly out of sorts at present, while Fibs And Flannel would need to reproduce his best turf form to get involved.
Fibs And Flannel 25-1 (9-7) Outpaced, always behind, 9th of 14, 9l behind Suddenly Susan (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Eastern Gift 7-2fav (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Spacecraft (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Dunmore Boy (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 6l behind Monte Cassino (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Avalon Bay 16-1 (8-11) Held up in last trio, pushed along 3f out, no progress 2f out, 6th of 8, 8l behind Marajaa (8-13) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Lucky Royale (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Vogarth 66-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 17l behind Ace Master (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Gracie's Gift (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, under pressure over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 2f out, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Monte Cassino (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Bertbrand 80-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Chester Deelyte (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Dec.
Fathey (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Raced stand side chased leader over 4f, 11th of 15, 9l behind Fair Bunny (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-55 (6) sft in Nov.