chased leaders, led after 7th, mistake 3 out, ridden and mistake last, driven out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, led again after 4th, headed after 7th, weakened quickly
chased leader, led 2nd to after 4th, ridden after 2 out, not quicken flat
behind, hit 4th, headway after 7th, ridden approaching last, every chance flat, no extra towards finish
behind, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on flat, not reached leaders
held up, ridden and headway 7th, weakened before next
mid-division, effort after 4th, weakened next
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden 7th, soon weakened, behind when mistake 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The best option in this finale looks to be Speedro, with Stagecoach Opal and Ever So Slightly put forward as the main dangers. The selection would have gone very close at Ayr last time out but for coming to grief at the second last. Kempski, who was held at the time, went on to take the race and has gone in again since and so if none the worse for his tumble he could gain compensation this afternoon. Stagecoach Opal ran a blinder at Kelso last time under similar conditions and is expected to go well again despite top-weight. Meanwhile his stable companion Ever So Slightly comes here in winning form having beaten a decent enough field over course and distance. Roaringwater is also in good heart at present and looks the best of the rest, but if his confidence is still intact Speedro could land first prize.
Stagecoach Opal 15-2 (11-5) Track leader, led 7th, ridden and headed last, one pace last, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Witch Wind (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Mt Desert 11-4 (11-1) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 7th, went 2nd after 9th until after 3 out, weakened and went 13 lengths 3rd when jumped slowly 2 out, 5th of 6, 22l behind Megaton (11-5) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (3) gf in Aug.
Anchors Away 9-2fav (11-7) Raced wide, in touch, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 12, 23l behind That's Racing (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Chateau Rouge (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Tidal Bay (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct, 18 ran.
Roaringwater (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Led, headed well before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Helm (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Surricate (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Raced wide and led, ridden and headed after 2 out, hit last, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Ever So Slightly (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Speedro (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5 out, led approaching 3 out, going best when fell 2 out in race won by Kempski (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy, 11 ran.
Gondolin (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, hampered on inside bend after 5th, beaten after, 6th of 12, well behind Isam Top (10-6) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov.
Cash On Friday 11-1 (11-6) Behind, headway 2 out, every chance between last 2, ridden and one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Political Cruise (10-9) at Hexham 3m amt hcp hdl (5) hvy.
Young Smokey (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced 5 out, never on terms, 7th of 18, well behind Reel Charmer (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sea Cadet 100-1 (10-12) Always behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Heraldry (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Ever So Slightly (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Not fluent, tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, went 3rd at last, stayed on well under pressure to lead post, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Florazine (9-12) by a shd, 10 ran.
Cloudmor (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hdl 0-90 (5) sft beating Emperor's Monarch (11-0) by 9l, 9 ran.
Dolans Bay (IRE) 10-11fav (10-3) Tracked leaders, left briefly in lead 2 out, soon hampered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Kempski (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy, 11 ran.
