held up behind leaders, led 3f out, pushed clear 2f out, easily
led, headed over 7f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway to lead over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leader, led over 7f, headed over 4f, weakened 2f out
held up, pushed along over 5f out, soon beaten
Flame Creek gets the confident vote here with Stolen Light and Top Seed rating the main dangers. The selection won easily last time when beating Amwell Brave and although rising in the weights he will be hard to beat under conditions that suit. Stolen Light rates the main danger on his best fornm but he dissqapointed for no apparent reason last time out and is taken on with this in mind. Top Seed is another that could well but he has yet to prove he stays this far and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Isa'af has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Flame Creek who still looks ahead of the handicaper.
Flame Creek (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, led 3f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcap (5) fbs beating Amwell Brave (9-0) by 14l, 11 ran.
Top Seed (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Led until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 7l behind Nando's Dream (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Stolen Light (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 11, well behind Flame Creek (9-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcap (5) fbs.
Isa'af (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Held up, headway 9f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 8, 21l behind Zaffeu (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Kalush 100-1 (8-6) Slowly away, always behind, tailed off over 3f out, last of 11, well behind Luna Landing (9-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.