tracked leaders, 2nd 5th until 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear on outside, not always fluent, some headway 5th, no impression, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden out
led 1st until after 3rd, led before next, ridden and headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 3rd, behind next
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place after next, ridden before 4th, weakened 3 out
prominent, jumped slowly 4th, ridden and lost place next, soon struggling
held up in rear, mistake 1st, some headway after 5th, weakened well before 2 out
always towards rear
held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, jumped right 2 out, went 2nd when jumped right last, stayed on, unable to challenge
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway on outside before 4th, ridden after next, lost place when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
led until 1st, led after 3rd, headed before 4th, mistake and lost place 5th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden and struggling 5th, mistake and well beaten 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten last, no extra
This would not be the strongest of contests but Bold Duke boasts a consistent record in similar races and wouldn't be winning out of turn. Flash Crash never runs two races alike but has ability and is probably due one of his better efforts. Belize should have benefited from his run at Huntingdon and remains unexposed while Polo is worth a market check, despite returning from an absence. Spa's Dancer has won four times on the Flat but has been struggling to get home over hurdles and today's ground won’t help. TULLOW TONIC can get Richard Johnson supporters off to a good start as he doesn't look overburdened on his handicap debut having shown promise in three runs to date. Georgieshore has only been narrowly beaten in his last two but is still climbing the weights.
Spa's Dancer (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Went left start and slowly away, recovered to lead 1st, jumped right and bumped 3 out, headed next, switched right after last, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Banyu (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Fauve (IRE) 66-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, hard ridden and weakened after 3 out, 16th of 17, dist behind Crickel Wood (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Bold Duke 6-1 (11-12) Held up in touch on inside, chased winner after 3 out to before next, no impression after, stayed on to regain modest 2nd briefly last, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Eminent Poet (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Back By Midnight 8-1 (11-10) Led, headed 3rd, chased leaders until ridden after 6th, weakened next, tailed off, 13th of 17, dist behind Canadian Diamond (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Flash Crash 8-1 (10-6) In touch, jumped slowly 1st and 4th, pushed along after 6th, soon struggling in rear, behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Belize 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside, pushed along and struggling 3 out, well beaten when hampered next, 9th of 11, dist behind Isaac Bell (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Georgieshore (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Led or disputed lead on outside until outpaced before 3 out, kept on under pressure before next, soon ridden, 2 lengths down in 2nd and one pace last, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Barista (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Tullow Tonic (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, pushed along chasing leaders before next, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 14 1/2l behind William H Bonney (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Nordical (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Last pair, tailed off 4 out, pulled up last, at Newbury 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Red Hott Robbie 200-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 4 out, never dangerous, last of 10, dist behind Bigmartre (11-5) at Haydock 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Polo (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, mistake and lost place 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 14 3/4l behind Grand March (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Get Ready Freddy 66-1 (10-12) Led until 3 out, no chance with winner from next, plugged on, 2nd of 7, 30l behind Westren Warrior (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Hallingham 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 15, dist behind Wait For Me (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
No Ceiling (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened before 2 out where mistake, 6th of 9, 30 3/4l behind Hedley Lamarr (11-1) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar.
