took keen hold, led, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
in rear, reminders after 1f, ridden and headway and switched left over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, not reached leading pair
close up, ridden 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
soon pushed along in rear, never a factor
prominent, ridden every chance over 1f out, weakening when bumped inside final furlong
close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened and eased final furlong
dwelt, behind, ridden and stayed on towards finish, never nearer
held up, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, driven to lead and edged left final 50 yards
dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Thoughtsofstardom and Best One will probably be popular among punters in this reasonable handicap, but preference is for NORTHERN EMPIRE, about whom we may well get a decent price. This course and distance scorer hails from a yard going well at present, and he has dropped back to a very handy mark after some hefty recent defeats. Jimmy Quinn is a good booking for the six-year-old, whose return here can hopefully coincidence with an upturn in fortunes. Thoughtsofstardom has won two of her last three starts, one of them coming here from a 10lb lower mark. He should get involved, but he has a much tougher assignment this time around. Best One was 4lbs lower when scoring over course and distance last time and may be capable of following up, thought recent form suggests that he will just have too much weight. Another to consider is Admiral Bond. He has over three lengths to find with Best One on their running here last time, but is better off at the weights and can get closely involved. Course and distance scorer First Swallow ran well from this mark here over 6f last time, and the drop back to the minimum trip looks a positive, though we'll take Northern Empire to come home in front.
Thoughtsofstardom 2-1fav (8-7) Always prominent, switched right and ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Buy On The Red (9-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fasliyanne (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 12l behind Hawkeyethenoo (8-10) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Rosie Says No 16-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 2l behind Bentley (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol.
First Swallow 4-1 (9-3) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra just inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Danum Dancer (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Dancing Wave 13-2 (9-3) Went left start, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Diamond Blade (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Northern Empire (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, kept on final furlong, no impression, 7th of 10, 5l behind Lord Of The Reins (8-11) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Best One 11-4 (8-11) Tracked leader, led 2f out, driven out, won at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs beating Sherjawy (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Across The Sands 9-4fav (9-3) Hampered start, hung left throughout, prominent, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 8l behind Norse Warrior (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol.
Miss Pusey Street 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Kingsgate Castle (9-0) at Kempton 6f stks 0-55 (6) pol.
Admiral Bond (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Best One (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs.
Mr Funshine 14-1 (8-6) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Best One (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs.
Ronnie Howe 18-1 (8-6) Led 2f, chased winner until halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 6l behind Diamond Blade (8-5) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Egyptian Lord 40-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 16l behind Best One (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs.