prominent, lost place after 11th, soon pushed along, pulled up 4 out
held up in rear, took closer order 12th, pushed along before 3 out, no extra approaching 2 out
towards rear, headway 13th, went third after 3 out, plugged on one pace from 2 out
jumped well, led, joined after 3 out, soon pushed along, not fluent and headed 2 out, switched right after last, ridden flat, rallied gamely to lead final strides
midfield, dropped to rear when not fluent 12th, pulled up 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 12th, pulled up before 2 out
midfield, chased leaders 9th, joined leader 3 out, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, headed final strides
slow 1st, prominent, lost place 13th, tailed off before 2 out, pulled up approaching last
mid-division, dropped to rear 6th, pulled up 12th
High Counsel loves it here but is racing from 7lb out of the handicap. Go Steady won one of these at Lingfield earlier in the month with Stamp Your Feet beaten 11 lengths in third. A double is a distinct possibility for the Skelton runner but Midnight Moss ran well for second at Doncaster following a break and also goes on the shortlist. SMUGGLER’S BLUES won over a slightly longer trip here last season and was still in contention when falling two out at Wincanton at the start of the month. He gets the nod to make amends today.
La Cavsa Nostra (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) Visibility reduced by fog, held up in mid-division, pulled up, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 18-1 (10-9) Held up off the pace towards rear, went prominent in chasing group 14th, disputing 2nd after 4 out until before next, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Quick Wave (11-12) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Go Steady 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, hampered 1st but left close up, led before 3rd, pushed along and carried right by loose horse approaching 3 out, soon headed and pushed along, rallied to lead again approaching last, stayed on well run-in and drew clear, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating West Approach (11-11) by 7 1/2l, 5 ran.
The Kings Writ (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Led, headed before home turn, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Visibility reduced by fog, mid-division, led before 3 out, joined and every chance when fell 2 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Stamp Your Feet (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Handy, hampered 1st but left in lead, headed and remained prominent before 3rd, dropped to last 4 out, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, kept on, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Go Steady (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Midnight Moss 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, not fluent 14th, ridden after 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, kept on, headed last and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Rocky's Treasure (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Cuban Pete (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In rear and never a factor, pulled up in home straight, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
High Counsel (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 8th, headed 4 out, soon pushed along, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 6 3/4l behind Easkey Lad (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
