held up in rear, smooth headway 4 out, led before 2 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed flat, no extra
led 1st, driven 3 out, ridden and headed before next, soon weakened, tailed off when lost 3rd last
led to 1st, tracked leader, driven and lost place 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, tailed off when jumped left last
saddle slipped 1st, soon pulled up
raced keenly, held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
behind, reminder 6th, soon struggling, plugged on to go 3rd last, tailed off
in touch, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, stayed on
raced wide, held up in touch, lost place 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
SMOKEY GEORGE was another set to take his chance at Leicester yesterday but such is the dearth of credible opposition in this that he has to get the vote again. The top weight won by 15 lengths at Uttoxeter last Friday and should last out this longer trip. Flaming Breeze looks the pick of the remainder on his second at Carlisle in October, though Talesofriverbank probably did well to finish in the frame at Newcastle in November after a long absence and should strip fitter here. The mare Dancing Daffodil may be the pick of the remainder.
Smokey George 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway on inside before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec beating Illysantachristina (10-11) by 15l, 14 ran.
No More Whispers (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off 11th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Shannons Boy (11-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Flaming Breeze (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, led 7th, headed next, kept on from last, chased winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Bardolet (11-4) at Carlisle 3m 1f am nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Oct.
Dancing Legend 66-1 (9-13) Towards rear, weakened from 6th, soon tailed off, 5th of 14, well behind Entertain Me (10-7) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Ortega (FR) 9-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, jumped slowly 1st, took keen hold, led 2nd, headed 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 27l behind Foxesbow (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Talesofriverbank 50-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, lost place 3rd, headway before 6th, hampered 2 out, close 3rd last, soon edged left, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Not Talking (10-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Dancing Daffodil 9-2 (10-0) Held up mid-division, hit 2nd, hampered bend 5th, headway to chase leaders 6th, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace last, 4th of 10, 8l behind Pete The Feat (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
A P Ling 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden and lost place when not fluent next, beaten after 5th, 6th of 11, 21l behind Baggsy (10-0) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.