held up rear, headway 3rd, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, every chance flat, no extra
held up rear, headway after 5th, ridden, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden, headway to join leaders approaching 3 out, soon led, hit last, kept on well
keen in rear, headway to join leader, veered left 2nd, hung left, lost place from 4th, soon well behind
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on
led, ridden, headed soon after 3 out, weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, keen, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th to go in touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 5 out, ridden, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden, lost place 5th, weakening when hit 6th, behind when pulled up before 8th
mid-division, lost place 5th, ridden, weakened 7th, pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, pulled up before 2 out
In an interesting race, the vote goes to Gritti Palace, with Kildonnan, Royal Cobourg and The Sawyer also warranting good mentions. Gritti Palace lived up to his name when getting the better of Brankley Boy at Warwick last time and, with this track looking set to suit, would seem to be a leading player today. Lyes Green was a little disappointing at Newbury last time but had looked ok at Market Rasen the time before. Kildonnan's second to Mister Quasimodo at Chepstow last time was a good effort, and the third has won since (with the fourth set to have raced at Wetherby on Thursday), so he is very much respected. Optimistic Alfie ran fairly well here last time over a shorter trip and could bag some place money, while Royal Cobourg has been placed behind two good types in each of his last two starts and he gets a good mention. The Sawyer also gets a good shout based on his overall bumper and hurdling form and is another to consider. Overall, though, the vote stays with Gritti Palace.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) With leader, led 7th to approaching 8th, ridden to lead again approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied gamely to lead towards finish, won at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec beating Brankley Boy (10-12) by a shd, 12 ran.
Lyes Green 6-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and one pace after, 8th of 16, 7l behind Screenplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Alfasonic 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 12, 25l behind Gritti Palace (10-7) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Kildonnan 20-1 (10-12) Chased leader throughout, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Mister Quasimodo (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Major Catch (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, 42l behind Ivoire De Beaulieu (10-7) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Optimistic Alfie 20-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Jaunty Times (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Nov.
Royal Coburg (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (10-7) Chased leader, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Numero Un de Solzen (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
The Sawyer (BEL) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 15, 12l behind Be Be King (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
