held up in touch, headway to lead 3f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on but no chance with very easy winner
always behind
always behind
with leaders over 6f
always in rear
tracked leaders, tracked leader over 5f out, led over 4f out until 3f out, soon weakened
close up, with leaders, led over 8f out until over 4f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up in touch, took closer order on bridle over 3f out, led on bit well over 1f out, cheekily and very easy
soon led, headed over 8f out, soon ridden and weakened
always in rear
Nonrunner
Surdoue is taken to beat Spanish Star, with Mickmacmagoole likely to make a bold show. Surdoue opened his account on his first visit here as a two-year-old in 2002, but despite a further three career victories, has not really fulfilled expectations. However, at this level he is always likely to pop up, and indeed nearly did so eight days ago when beaten a head over the course and distance. The third horse was fully ten lengths away, and a similar effort today should be enough. His main rival looks to be Spanish Star who defied an eight-month absence to come late and score over the course and distance a fortnight ago. However he is rated ten-pounds inferior to the selection and should be held. The Irish challenger Mickmacmagoole was well backed when scoring at Wolverhampton the time before last, but was well beaten here three weeks ago and may not have handled the surface. The market may reveal which of Paul Blockley's three runners is the most fancied, but we shall rely on Surdoue
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up, never on terms, 7th of 14, 8l behind Kentucky Bullet (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Hollywood Henry (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 10l behind Saameq (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Nov.
Showtime Annie 9-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden, weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 8l behind Awaaser (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol in Nov.
Spanish Star 12-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, led entering final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (36-40) (7) fbs in Nov beating Aggi Mac (8-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Surdoue 7-1 (9-0) Keen, led, headed over 9f out, led again over 5f out, ridden 2f out, caught post, 2nd of 12, hd behind Rood Boy (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Finnegans Rainbow 9-2jt-fav (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader 4f out until over 2f out, 6th of 12, 18l behind Rood Boy (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Held up, never on terms, 8th of 14, 9l behind Kentucky Bullet (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Eidsfoss (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 13l behind Super Dominion (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol.