chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
close up, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
soon behind, ridden and ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard, tracked leader, led halfway, hung left and headed 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway and wide 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed halfway, weakened over 1f out
Yet another tricky contest and Cornus is taken to beat Pinchbeck and Waterside. Cornus does appear to be a better horse on turf but has done little wrong in recent all-weather runs and has to go close off this current mark. He makes a quick return to the track after finishing just two lengths behind Les Arcs at Wolverhampton last week and the hint should be taken. Pinchbeck is from the powerful Michael Jarvis yard and he hit form with a vengeance last time, easily beating Quiet Times over course and distance. A follow up is certainly not out of the question. Waterside finished runner up to Gentleman's Deal in a better race than this last time. The handicapper may just have him in his grasp but he could still possibly get into the money. Of the others Sir Desmond is well in on his best form, but Cornus is getting the hang of this all-weather stuff and can land this off top-weight.
Cornus 25-1 (8-9) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Les Arcs (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Pinchbeck 10-1 (8-9) Rear, headway on outer over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec beating Quiet Times (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Waterside (IRE) 4-1 (8-7) Took keen hold to lead after 1f, headed over 4f out, regained lead over 2f out, ridden when headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Gentleman's Deal (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Kingsmaite 8-1 (9-1) Prominent, led just over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 8l behind Wessex (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Bumped start, chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 5l behind Ok Pal (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Poker Player (IRE) 2-1fav (8-13) Made virtually all, challenged from over 1f out, kept on, won at Windsor 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Oct beating Mina (8-1) by 2l, 13 ran.
Sir Desmond 16-1 (8-12) Outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 4l behind Will He Wish (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Anfield Dream 4-1 (9-4) Always behind, outpaced, last of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ever Cheerful (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Outpaced, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 13l behind Wessex (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Aegean Dancer 5-6fav (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, eased close home, won at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec beating Christian Bendix (9-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Majik 10-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, never troubled leaders, 9th of 12, 9l behind Paso Doble (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Cerebus 7-1 (8-9) Led, headed after 1f and remained in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 7l behind Owed (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
