chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced
close up, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
behind and outpaced, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders on outer, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, outpaced 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Silver Hotspur is sure to be popular but is taken on with Mister Benji; Having A Ball and Phinerine are also considered. Michael Wigham's runner won a shade cosily over six furlongs last week and shouldn't have any problems with the trip; he's well handicapped on his old form despite his penalty but better value could be had with Mister Benji. A course and distance winner who's 5lbs lower than when last successful; he shaped as though a return to winning ways was imminent at Wolverhampton last time where a clear run would have seen him finish thereabouts. With better luck today, he should go close. Phinerine and Guadaloup could run into the frame but neither is the easiest to win with and Mister Benji appeals as a likelier winner.
Silver Hotspur 3-1fav (8-11) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs beating Cape of Storms (8-8) by a hd, 11 ran.
Naledi 20-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 12l behind Montemayorprincess (8-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Having A Ball 13-2 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Quantum Leap (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Phinerine 11-2 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Mind Alert (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Palais Polaire 6-1 (8-11) Led for over 1f, tracked leader after, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, every chance, soon under pressure, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Epidaurian King (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Guadaloup 7-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Mind Alert (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Mister Benji 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, edged left and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Mister Always (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Avontuur (FR) 17-2 (8-10) Started very slowly in rear until headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 8l behind Bond Playboy (9-1) at W'hampton 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Keon (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Mid-division, raced keenly, came wide entering straight, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind Aggbag (8-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Favouring (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 16, 6l behind Border Artist (8-13) at Yarmouth 7f hcap (6) gd in Sept.
Signor Whippee 20-1 (9-6) Towards rear stands side, ridden halfway, stayed on towards finish, 7th of 15, 7l behind Orotund (9-9) at Ripon 6f app sll (6) gf in Sept.
