tracked leaders, effort to challenge on outside 4 out, ridden after next, 2 lengths down in 2nd when fell 2 out
led to after 4th, led again next, headed narrowly approaching 4 out, hit next, outpaced when left 3rd 2 out, no impression after, lost place closing stages
with leader, led after 4th to next, in touch, led again before 4 out, 2 lengths advantage when left clear 2 out, kept on
held up behind, tracked leaders 5th, outpaced 4 out, ridden after next, left 2nd when hampered 2 out, kept on, no impression
held up in rear, close up 8th, not fluent 4 out, outpaced next, left 4th when hampered 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd closing stages, no impression
held up behind, struggling after 5 out, never able to challenge
A tricky handicap in which most have some sort of chance. There will be no shortage of pace as Ink Master, Theflyingportrait and Oak Vintage are all confirmed front-runners and Ifandbutwhynot also likes to race up with the pace, though the latter was well beaten behind Oak Vintage at Kelso in May and Ann Hamilton’s gelding made an impressive reappearance at Sedgefield on quicker going. CRACKING FIND is the likely beneficiary if the front-runners take each other on as he stays a bit further but did win three times over 2m last season. Omega Springs scrambled home last time at Uttoxeter but this is a much more competitive affair.
Ink Master (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, not fluent 2 out (usual 4 out), joined last (usual 3 out), ridden and headed narrowly bypassing omitted last, kept on until no extra closing stages, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Cubomania (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Led until before 2nd, led again next, not fluent 9th or 10th, clear 2 out, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Brave Spartacus (11-10) by 19l, 5 ran.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Led, set strong pace, driven when hard pressed after 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Nuts Well (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Cracking Find (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not much room and lost place 2nd, mistake 7th, headway 12th, led off last bend, not fluent and headed 3 out, weakening in 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Beggar's Wishes (10-13) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leader after 2nd, driven and lost place after 2 out (usual 4 out), weakened after last (usual 3 out), tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Cubomania (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Omega Springs (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden and 2 lengths down last, rallied closing stages, led final strides, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Modeligo (12-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
