chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, weakened next
made most to 5th, weakened next
always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, 6th and weakening when hampered last
with leaders, led 5th to 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, switched left approaching last, one pace flat
held up, ridden, headway after 3 out, kept on flat
keen, with leaders, led 3 out, ridden, headed after 2 out, 5th and weakening when fell last
mid-division, headway 3rd, led after 2 out, ridden out
behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on
A poor contest gets proceedings underway but the principals look to be Gin Palace, Kristoffersen and Smoothly Does It and the narrow vote is given to Gin Palace. The selection would win this easily on his best form and although he has not ran for 922 days the fact that his shrewd yard are perservering with him speaks volumes and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Kristoffersen rates the main danger on his best form but he has been pulled up on his last two outings so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Smoothly Does It is another that could go well on his latest fourth behind Almanshood but he is hard to win with. of the remainder Kai Kuri is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Gin Palace who would win this easily if fit.
Kristoffersen 8-1 (11-12) In touch, jumped slowly 4th and lost place, headway 6th, ridden and lost place 9th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by John Diamond (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct, 7 ran.
Major Jon (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent until hit 3 out and weakened next, 12th of 17, 33l behind Robbie Can Can (11-9) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Allegiance 100-1 (10-0) Always behind, 10th of 18, 20l behind Breezer (10-2) at Towcester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Gin Palace (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Held up in rear, steady headway 7th, stayed on flat, never nearer, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Korelo (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Apr '04.
Porak (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 5th, weakened after 7th, 12th of 16, 49l behind From Dawn To Dusk (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Smoothly Does It 11-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, driven and lost 3rd after 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 14, 9l behind Almanshood (10-8) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Summer Bounty 14-1 (11-2) Held up and and behind, blundered 4th, headway 3 out, beaten when mistake 2 out, 11th of 12, 33l behind Saafend Rocket (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Dec '03.
Kai Kuri (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 19l behind Shingle Street (11-3) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) gd in Oct.
