mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out,, kept on
chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, stayed on final 2f
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly away, always towards rear
always behind
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
Magic Glade, Dancing Mystery and Maktavish are the three that catch the eye here and Magic Glade is a sporting selection. Maktavish had lost his way for a while before finishing a good second last time over this course and distance. He showed good pace on that occasion and has been slipping markedly down the weights. he came to hand at this time last year and can go well here. A winner of three of his last five starts, Dancing Mystery ran well until fading in the closing stages last time. There is the suspicion that he may be in the grip of the handicapper now but he is respected. Magic Glade is six pounds lower in the ratings than when last successful at Chester in June. He has been lightly campaigned since, and ran well at Wolverhampton last time and can take this. Magic Glade can glide past his rivals.
Fromsong (IRE) 9-4 (9-5) Led, headed over 1f out, soon faded, 7th of 8, 7l behind Mistral Sky (8-9) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Distinctly Game 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, lost touch halfway, soon behind, virtually pulled up, last of 11, 44l behind Dancing Mystery (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Nov.
Dancing Mystery 7-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Stoneacre Lad (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcap (3) fbs in Dec.
Pawan (IRE) 18-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Moorhouse Lad (8-5) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Dig Deep (IRE) 5-2 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Bomber Command (8-9) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Tartatartufata 3-1 (8-3) Broke well and steadied, hampered and stumbled and lost place over 3f out, not recover, last of 8, 3l behind Harry Up (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Efistorm 11-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec beating Financial Times (8-8) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Monashee Brave (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Behind, not clear run 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 5l behind Circuit Dancer (8-12) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept.
Pauvic (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Led overall far side group, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 17, 3l behind Antica (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Anfield Dream 16-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Morse (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Millinsky (USA) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Efistorm (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Magic Glade 11-2 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Efistorm (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Verite 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 13, 11l behind Hamaasy (8-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Maktavish 12-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Gifted Lass (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.