chased leaders, ridden over 5f out, outpaced over 3f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on to take 3rd over 1f out
prominent, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, ridden out
in rear, ridden halfway, soon beaten
in touch on outer, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, never nearer
Formidable Will looks high enough in the weights, but in a poor race he gets the nod ahead of Ali Bruce, Crush On You, George's Flyer and Prince Vettori. Mick Easterby's charge won emphatically on his last foray into selling company, and although slightly disappointing next time up in a handicap , he should go well for his shrewd trainer on a course that he has already won three times at. Crush On You's record is hardly inspiring, yet he ran ok behind easy winner Speagle last time out and would have a fair chance on that running. Ali Bruce takes a marked drop in class and if on song would take this at a canter, however Paul Blockley's gelding looked out of sorts earlier in the year and so he cannot be backed with full confidence. Of the rest, George's Flyer makes his first foray into selling company and could take a hand, whilst Prince Vettori's only victory came over this course and distance so he could feature more prominently than recent efforts. For the winner though, we return to Mick Easterby's Formidable Will.
Bollin Edward 12-1 (9-6) Held up, some headway when edged left over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 10l behind Bessemer (9-6) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Captain Darling (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Bessemer (9-6) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Formidable Will (FR) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sentiero Rosso (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
George's Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Dwelt, soon recovered, chased leading pair over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Ludovico (8-12) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Ali Bruce 33-1 (8-11) Steadied start, took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 5th of 13, 9l behind Spectait (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Crush On You 16-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 11, 4l behind Speagle (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Penwell Hill (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 12, 33l behind Some Diva (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Prince Vettori 9-2 (9-0) Chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 11l behind Topiary Ted (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov.
