went right start, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung right and ran on final furlong
slowly away, hampered start, behind and outpaced, never looked happy
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, kept on final furlong
chased leader until halfway, soon driven along, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon went 3rd, kept on same pace final furlong
reared start, slowly away, in rear, never a factor
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 2f, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, no impression from over 1f out
held up, pushed along after 2f, never a factor
Another moderate handicap with Metal Guru, Hollow Jo, and Don Pele among the leading players, but POCKET'S PICK is the one for us. Gary Moore's gelding has been in decent form in defeat just lately, racing mainly at Lingfield. His one previous try here was a reasonable effort in maiden company, so he is worth another try on the surface, and he looks as good as anything in the race from his current mark. Metal Guru is a consistent mare who has been going well at Wolverhampton of late, including back-to-back wins over the minimum trip. She went well from today's mark at Dunstall Park last time, and there is no reason why she won't take to this surface, so we give her due respect. Hollow Jo has done all of his winning away from turf at Lingfield or Kempton, which are both significantly quicker surfaces than here, while he has also been better over 6f, so we will look elsewhere for today. Don Pele went well at Wolverhampton on Saturday and has a course win here to his name, though 6f is his optimum so we'll take him on too. Spoof Laster looks high enough in the weights and is not entirely effective here and our tentative selection is Pocket's Pick.
Hollow Jo 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace of leaders, 5th of 11, 5l behind Diamond Blade (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Pocket's Pick (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Ask Jenny (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Don Pele (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, 2 lengths clear 2f out, came centre in straight, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 100 yards, lost 2nd on line, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Welcome Approach (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f Handicap (0-63) (3yo+) (6) pol.
Metal Guru 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Forever's Girl (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Spoof Master (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance when hung right over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 6th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Spinning Bailiwick (10-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Dodaa (USA) 22-1 (9-0) Chased leader until 2f out, 8th of 9, 10l behind Guto (8-13) at Southwell 5f clm stks (6) fbs in Apr.
Divertimenti (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 42l behind Giant Sequoia (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Berrymead 33-1 (8-9) Reared start, soon pushed along in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, never nearer, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Best One (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs.
Gower 16-1 (8-4) Soon pushed along towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 11, 7l behind Diamond Blade (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Desert Dust 5-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden after 2f, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Thoughtsofstardom (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs.
Myriola 66-1 (8-9) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 9, 7l behind Brynfa Boy (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Micky Mac (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out soon weakened, 10th of 11, 13l behind Leading Edge (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Stoneacre Pat (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Slowly away, always in rear, last of 9, 7l behind Triskaidekaphobia (8-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.