tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
prominent, close 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, one pace before last
tracked leaders on outside, mistake 3rd, outpaced 5th, rallied last, ran on flat
in rear, reminder after 2nd, closed 5th, no impression when not fluent 2 out, stayed on before last, weakened flat
led, ridden and headed before last, weakened flat
prominent, challenged 2 out, led and held together before last, driven out
tracked leaders, reminder after 4th, lost place next, tailed off
lost touch 3rd, continued badly tailed off until pulled up after 2 out
Always Bold has his ground but really needs a lot further nowadays and hasn't raced since scoring over 3m3f at Fontwell in early October. King's Sunset may also need more of a stamina test but is interesting in his first handicap while Be My Light should be thereabouts again with his stable in good form. The top weight is preferred to Award Winner, who looks to be back in the handicapper's grip, and South O'The Border, who looks a light of former days. LOVELY MUCK travelled strongly for a long way over a similar trip at Ludlow in October but blunders at two of the three last flights knocked the stuffing out of her. If she were to jump better here, Nigel Twiston-Davies' well-bred and lightly-raced mare could be a blot on the handicap and she gets the vote.
Be My Light (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 7l behind Tweedledrum (9-10) at Ascot 2m 6f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
King's Sunset (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Tended to jump right, led, driven and hard pressed 2 out, headed last, rallied briefly flat, held when edged left towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Littledean Jimmy (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jun.
Always Bold (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Raced wide, held up, headway approaching 10th, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, stayed on, won at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Oct beating Heezagrey (9-12) by 5l, 8 ran.
Lovely Muck 16-1 (10-3) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 6th, every chance when not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 12, 24l behind Dancingtilmidnight (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Fred Kennet 14-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, not fluent and ridden 8th, mistake next, soon lost touch, tired when mistake 11th, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Comehomequietly (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov chs (4) gd in Oct '11, 5 ran.
Award Winner 33-1 (10-13) In touch, weakened before 6th, soon behind, 9th of 16, well behind Duaiseoir (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Perfect Reward 28-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden from 4th, mistake 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Spanish Arch (11-9) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
South O'The Border 18-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along before 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 16, 35l behind Okafranca (11-4) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
