chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
hampered start, keen, soon tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out
held up in touch, ridden halfway, weakened and hung left from well over 2f out
slowly into stride and hampered start, in rear, never trouble leaders
soon pushed along in rear, driven and switched right and stayed on from over 1f out, not pace to challenge
held up, ridden over 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong, never nearer
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
went left start, with leader, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
JORDI ROPER is in good heart just now and is selected as the one to be on. Cape Of Storms and Angaric are others worth noting in the betting. The last named has been failing to get home over seven furlongs, so reverting to sprinting seems a logical throw of the dice. The handicapper ahs given Bryan Smart's gelding a fair chance on these terms, so a market move in his direction will be interesting. Cape Of Storms is closely matched with the selection and rates as fair value at the likely odds. However, Jordi Roper appears to be the more straightforward character and, as his current profile looks a tad stronger, it is the mount of dale Gibson that gets the vote on this occasion.
Angaric (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on to regain 2nd final stride, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Gold Express (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Punching 12-1 (9-2) Held up and keen, headway over 1f out, staying on when not clear run well inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2l behind Grand Palace (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Obe Royal 4-1 (8-12) Soon driven and led, headed over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 9, 5l behind Interactive (8-12) at Kempton 6f sll (5) pol.
Trinculo (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Grand Palace (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Fulford 13-2 (8-5) Held up, effort halfway, no impression, 7th of 11, 5l behind Realt Na Mara (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Jordi Roper (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Behind and pushed along, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on entering final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Head To Head (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs.
Cape of Storms 17-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Head To Head (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs.
Ronnie Howe 8-1 (9-0) Jumped right at start and held up, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Back In The Red (9-5) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs.
Tag Team (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Always rear division, 5th of 8, 10l behind Back In The Red (9-5) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs.
Eternal Optimist (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Norcroft (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.