led to 5th, ridden 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened next
prominent, led 5th, ridden 2 out, headed last, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
held up last, headway after 6th, chased leader 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon led, driven out flat
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
always towards rear, behind from 6th
held up, ridden after 5th, soon no chance
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after
prominent, chased leaders 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
never better than mid-division
An 8lb rise for Oldrik following his win at Huntingdon last month is not too harsh and he has solid claims of following up for Philip Hobbs but CAPTAIN AMERICO looks to be well treated for his first start in a handicap and he gets the vote with Night Cru rated the pick of the remainder. Apart from one disappointing run, the selection has shown a decent level of form in four starts, latterly when a close second to Bakbenscher at Newbury and a reproduction of that effort may well suffice. Dancewiththedevil has harshly been raised 7lbs for his win here last month, while Lucy Wadham's Approved Force needs to improve on what he has shown in two previous starts this term. Tom George's Je Ne Sais Plus has shown little sign of ability since joining current connections from France. Nordwind was useful on the flat and may do better now sent handicapping but more solid claims are probably held by Night Cru, who ran better at Hereford last month. Captain Americo looks to be well treated though and he is preferred.
Approved Force (USA) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened when hit 2 out, well beaten when hit last, 10th of 12, 18l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Noticeable (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 8th of 12, 21l behind Issaquah (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Night Cru 9-4fav (11-5) In touch, challenged after 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden and headed last, one pace flat, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Tender Falcon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Captain Americo (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, blundered 5th, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, headed soon after, stayed on same pace flat, no impressioon on winner, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Oldrik (GER) 2-1fav (10-8) In rear, headway 3 out, driven to lead last, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating Argento Luna (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, good headway approaching 2 out, challenging when left 2nd 2 out, led last, hard ridden and held on gamely flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec beating Bormo (11-11) by a nk, 15 ran.
Nordwind (IRE) 15-8fav (10-11) In touch, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon under pressure, weakening when mistakes last, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Friendly King (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Dalaram (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Always behind, lost touch 5th, 13th of 16, well behind Tender Falcon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Letham Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, struggling after next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind It's Rumoured (10-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Pickamus (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, lost place before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Glenary (9-11) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Tenor De Balme (FR) 50-1 (10-13) Towards rear, hit 1st, hampered 2 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 16, 12l behind Awesome George (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Bazart 9-4fav (10-11) Held up, ridden and headway from 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 14, 26l behind Triple Bluff (9-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Pas De Baratin (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, no impression, 8th of 15, 44l behind Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Je Ne Sais Plus (FR) 5-1 (10-10) Towards rear, headway after 3out, ridden 2out, weakened last, 6th of 18, 33l behind Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
