chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace
soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
Dudley Docker, Obe Royal and Kelamon look the three to concentrate on in this handicap and the vote is given to Dudley Docker. The selection was a fair second behind Sophia Gardens last time out, looks sure to improve for the fitting of first time cheek pieces and with his yard continuing in good form he will be hard to beat. Obe Royal rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Radiator Rooney but he now looks weighted up to his best. Kelamon is another from a yard in form but may need the run after a 100 day break while Yakimov looks vulnerable under top weight. Dudley Docker is our idea of the winner.
Yakimov (USA) 14-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden 3f out, effort 1f out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind St Savarin (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f clm (6) fbs in Dec.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Keen, held up in touch, headway on bit over 1f out, shaken up to lead briefly inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Sophia Gardens (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Obe Royal 6-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Radiator Rooney (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Kelamon 12-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 14l behind Will He Wish (9-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
High 'n Dry (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 2f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Desert Dreamer (9-5) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol in Dec.