held up last, headway out wide 4 out, outpaced soon after next, rallied and hit last, plugged on run-in, closed on 3rd but no chance with winner
chased leaders early, soon steadied 5th on inside, dropped to rear at 5th, never on terms after
never that fluent, led until 2nd, chased leader, not fluent 3rd, dived and lost 2nd briefly next, led 3 out, shaken up and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
chased leader, led 2nd, hit 3 out and headed, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened home turn
raced wide tracking leaders, close 2nd soon after 3 out, mistake and led 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, went 2nd briefly 4th, chased leaders outpaced before 3 out, rallied into 3rd home turn, plugged on, never any chance with winner
NonRunner
Petrastar is no mug but hasn’t won in more than two years. Amelia's Dance won twice over course and distance at the start of the year and hasn’t been running badly lately. She has a chance in this and so does Bashful Boy, who has been keeping better company. Norley won at Southwell 10 days ago and American Gerry is much better than he showed at Kempton last month. Parramount makes his handicap debut after getting off the mark at Hereford but BEAU BALKO (NAP) could be anything. Though he won by less than a length at Hereford, Harry Cobden had plenty up his sleeve on the four-year-old who can go on the better things.
American Gerry (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders before 3rd, pushed along and outpaced home turn, soon weakened, last of 6, 21 1/4l behind Lightly Squeeze (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Beau Balko (FR) 1-2fav (11-0) Made all, reduced lead when not fluent last, pressed flat, ridden out, always doing enough, won at Hereford 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Atlanta Brave (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Parramount 5-6fav (11-0) Made all, pushed along and quickened clear from 2 out, comfortable lead last, impressive, won at Hereford 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Decorated (11-0) by 10l, 16 ran.
Petrastar 18-1 (11-1) Led until after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Irish Hill (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Amelia's Dance (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Visibility reduced by fog, towards rear, ridden and some headway approaching 2 out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Filey Bay (12-1) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Norley (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Waited with in 4th, smooth headway out wide before 2 out, challenged 2 out, in lead and clear when came into view between last two, mistake last, soon recovered and kept on well, reduced visibility, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Couldbeaweapon (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bashful Boy (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Off the pace mid-division out wide, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 9, 10l behind Love Envoi (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Privatory (FR) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 3 out and pushed along, soon lost touch, 8th of 10, 27l behind Big Boy Bobby (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
