held up in touch, headway to challenge over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, held inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong
led, took keen hold, headed 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f
chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, ridden 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, no impresson on first 2
Bucks gets our vote here in the finale with Dubai Dreams the one selected to give him most to do. The selection is one of two course winners in the contest, having won a maiden over 12 furlongs in November. He followed that up with a slightly unlucky second in an amateurs' event at Lingfield next time when ridden by his owner. A mark of 75 looks very reasonable here and he can get back to winning ways. Reminiscent's only win so far came at Wolverhampton over 14 furlongs from a mark of 63. He finished second on his last run here from a mark of 69 so, running off 62, is entitled to be competitive. However, if you take literal maiden and handicap form working through Sea Holly then Bucks seems to hold the edge. The lightly-raced Victory Quest ran well when second to easy winner Bid For Fame last time and, while improving, may find the selection too much to handle. Dubai Dreams is looking to follow up a course win over 12 furlongs on December 3 from a mark of 54. A rise of five pounds for that win is partly offset by Luke Fletcher's three-pound claim, so he looks set to be competitive as there is no doubt that he is well-handicapped on the best of his form. Stravmour is lightly raced and showed improved form when fourth here at the end of November, and could yet improve again at today's trip. An interesting little contest to close the card and one in which Bucks might just hold sway.
