slowly into stride soon chased along to go mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, never dangerous
always rear division
held up behind leaders led 2f out edged left and ran on final furlong
prominent ridden over 2f out driven and one pace final furlong.
towards rear headway on inner over 2f out no extra final furlong
chased leaders ridden along halfway, soon beaten
ridden and headed 2f out driven and kept on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden along and headway over 1f out one pace final furlong
This is a poor contest and the tentative vote goes to Namroud, who is preferred to the likes of Louisiade and Put It On The Card. The selection has been running over hurdles of late so he arrives here with his fitness assured, and he put in a decent effort when last seen on the level when third behind Blue Sky Thinking at Wolverhampton. He looks the one to beat in a trappy affair. Louisiade usually goes well here but he disappointed last time. However, he was returning from a break that day so he may have needed the run and he could be worth another chance today. Mr Chocolate Drop ran his best race for some time at Wolverhampton last Thursday night, so he is another to consider. However, for the winner we will stick with Namroud.
Charlie Chan 100-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, struggling 6f out, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Le Platino (10-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec (N.Hunt).
Dazzler Mac 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on well final furlong, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Briery Blaze (8-11) at W'hampton 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Didactic 50-1 (8-4) Outpaced and behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 17, 7l behind Montemayorprincess (8-8) at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gd in Sept.
Louisiade (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden halfway, some late headway, never troubled leaders, 9th of 12, 12l behind Meeting of Minds (8-9) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Not clear run after 1f and lost place, held up, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Epidaurian King (9-6) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) std.
Namroud (USA) 7-1 (8-10) Steadied start, held up in touch, went 3rd over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression on winner, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Blue Sky Thinking (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app clm (6) pol in Apr.
Put It On The Card 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Monashee Brave (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Stepaside (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) In touch, pushed along halfway, driven over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Blue Empire (8-12) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs.
Capital Lass 9-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Dancing Deano (8-13) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Wizby 16-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 9l behind Sir Bond (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.