raced wide, in touch, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, soon pushed along, outpaced from halfway
made all, ridden clear 1f out, ran on
held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
chased winner, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong
chased winner, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased winner, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden halfway, no impression
HARLECH CASTLE can take this handicap at the main expense of Irish Pearl and Mister Hardy. The selection has yet to win on the all-weather but he has been in terrific form on the turf and he is on the hat-trick mission here. He won with plenty in hand at Catterick last time and in his current rich vein of form he is hard to oppose. Irish Pearl could be a big danger as she won in good style over this course and distance last time, her first win on the sand, and despite her penalty she should be difficult to keep out of the frame. Mister Hardy was only narrowly beaten at Great Leighs last time when he was flying at the finish. He needs to be produced fast and late and he will be doing his best work in the closing stages. Temple of Thebes finished behind Irish Pearl last time and it is hard to see her reversing the form here. All of which returns us to Harlech Castle as the pick.
Thebes 10-1 (8-13) Raced stands side, led that group, overall leader over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Plum Pudding (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Oct.
Sudden Impact (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Led, headed halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Prescription (8-4) at Hamilton 6f fll hcp (3) sft in Sept.
Irish Pearl (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) In touch, led 2f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct beating Temple of Thebes (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Nastrelli (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Towards rear, some headway to 10th 1 1/2f out, ridden and no impression, 9th of 16, 12l behind Emily Blake (9-3) at Fairyhouse 6f prm hcp sft in Oct.
Harlech Castle 10-3fav (9-4) Chased leaders, led 2f out, kept on well, won at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Splash The Cash (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mister Hardy 16-1 (8-7) Switched left soon after start, held up in rear, headway on inside approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Beat The Bell (8-5) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Temple of Thebes (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f, driven, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Irish Pearl (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Pawan (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Towards rear, driven and headway over 1f, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 12, 5l behind How's She Cuttin' (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Northern Empire (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Towards rear, 14th of 16, 9l behind Kay Two (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.