chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from last
led, hit 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened after last
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, headed towards finish
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened last
held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
in rear, pushed along approaching 6th, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, no danger after
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from after 2 out
mid-division, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, reminder after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, headway between last 2, stayed on strongly to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
This should not take much winning and in a moderate contest what can only be a tentative vote goes to Polished, from the in-form Victor Dartnell stable, who has shown enough over fences of late to suggest that he should be more than capable of taking this event and he gets the vote ahead of Final Bid and Indian Star. The last mentioned ran better in a Ludlow handicap last time and has to be respected dropped into selling company. Robert Alner has his string in good order at present but even he is finding it hard to win a race with Oncle Bul, while Kingscourt Lad has more to do under his penalty than when successful at Doncaster last time. Mick Quinlan's Final Bid would have solid claims on the pick of his form and has to be respected but reference is for Polished.
Final Bid (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 4th, lost place under pressure next, tailed off, 8th of 9, 28l behind Prime Contender (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) In touch, led after 2nd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf beating Snake Charmer (10-12) by 7l, 17 ran.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 12l behind Three Ships (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Danelor (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 33l behind My Way de Solzen (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Nov '04.
Indian Star (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 6th, every chance 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Croon (10-12) at Ludlow 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd.
Lizarazu (GER) 12-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, headway 3rd, led next until approaching 6th, weakening when hit 3 out, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Country Affair (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
Monroe Gold 7-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway 4th, joined leader and hit 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 7, 31l behind Sonnengold (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs.
Oncle Bul (FR) 15-2 (11-7) In touch until weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Never So Blue (11-9) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Perfect Storm 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again 2 out, mistake last, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Fantasy Legend (10-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gs.
Polished 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, pushed along from 2nd, not fluent and lost place 4th, stayed on steadily from 5 out but never on terms with leaders again, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Captain Marlon (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Shanagolden Juan (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mistakes, always in rear, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Oh Crick (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Littlemissdynamite 8-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 11l behind Earlsfield Raider (11-3) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Axinit (GER) 5-1 (10-10) Made all, clear before 3 out, unchallenged, won at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft beating Sninfia (9-13) by 9l, 11 ran.
Anno Jubilo (GER) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, beaten when unseated rider in race won by Vinmix De Bessy (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 10 ran.
