with leader, took keen hold, mistake 6th, led next, not fluent last, soon hard pressed, headed and no extra close home
held up, in touch, effort after 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on under pressure closing stages
held up, towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, every chance from last, stayed on strongly to lead last strides
behind, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well closing stages, never nearer
led, soon pressed, headed 7th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out
in rear, mistake 6th, never a factor
Clic Work showed improved form to land a handicap over shorter trip here last month but has another 7lb to carry today. WINNING SPARK won over course and distance back in January and though that was on heavy going he ran well enough on good ground last time when second at Wincanton. He could have done without a 3lb rise but might be the one to beat. Hint Of Mint looks held on the form book but Alexander The Grey makes his handicap debut and has scope while Quieto Sol was placed over similar trips at Southwell and Ascot in October so can’t be ignored.
Hint Of Mint 7-1 (11-2) In touch, in chasing pack, 2nd after 3 out until before next, no chance with front pair last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Brelan D'as (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Clic Work (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway chasing leaders after 3 out, 3rd approaching 2 out, led and went right last, edged right run-in, driven out, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Miracle Cure (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Winning Spark (USA) 14-1 (10-10) Held up, in mid-division, headway before 3 out, led after 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Brelan D'as (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Alexander The Grey 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 2nd when not fluent 3 out, not much room before next, one pace after, no extra flat, 4th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Finula (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Newsworthy (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place 5 out, detached next, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Quieto Sol (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, chased leaders before last, stayed on well closing stages, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Miss Estela (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Diamond Rock 9-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, 6th and fading when not fluent 2 out, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Popping Along 16-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, held up in 4th, dropped to rear at 3rd, headway on outside 8th, well held 3rd approaching 2 out, never any chance, lost poor 3rd close home, 4th of 5, dist behind On Demand (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
