mid-division, headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, readily
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
mid-division, hit 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
always behind
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden in 6th and held when fell 2 out
in touch until 3 out
chased leader, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on but no chance with winner
in touch, effort after 3 out, held when hampered 2 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 5th, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, mistake 5th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again from last
Bathwick Breeze, Sam Lord and Miss Midnight form the short list here and it is David Pipe's Bathwick Breeze that gets the vote. The four-year-old has got som very solid recent form to bring into this race, having been at least in the frame on all of his last four starts, which included a fast ground Uttoxeter success in November. He does handle cut in the ground and races from the same mark as when not beaten far at Plumpton last month and he looks the most solid option. Miss Midnight had the beating of Sam Lord over c&d when the pair met in November but the latter now has a 6lb pull for three lengths so looks capable of reversing the placings on ground that suits. Sahf London comes from a yard going well and trip and ground suit him. He is dropping in the weights at the moment which will give him a decent chance of making the frame now. Conkering had a bit of an excuse last time and could go well at a price, while Mous Of Men would be worth greater consideration if his yard were in better form. Bathwick Breeze gets the nod.
Mous Of Men (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Panjo Bere (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Oldrik (GER) 9-2 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 49l behind Cottingham (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Aug.
Conkering (USA) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and hampered 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 14, 20l behind Blue Bajan (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Willing Weasel (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, lost place 5th, soon behind, 9th of 12, 44l behind Mickmacmagoole (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Psychiatrist 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 5th, headway when mistake and blundered 2 out, no further progress, 7th of 17, 22l behind Zirkel (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Charming Oscar (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 18, 30l behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bathwick Breeze 4-1 (11-5) Led, mistake 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed approaching last and weakened, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Sweetheart (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Factor Fifteen 50-1 (11-12) Always in rear, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind Rapscallion (11-5) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Triple Bluff 40-1 (10-4) Held up last, headway from 3 out, ridden and found nil approaching 2 out, 9th of 11, 42l behind Compton Star (9-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Sahf London 7-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out to chase clear leading pair, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 12, 27l behind Royal Wedding (11-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Miss Midnight 9-2 (10-3) Prominent, ridden and chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on well from last, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Barodine 40-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 29l behind Mossmann Gorge (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Sam Lord 15-2 (10-3) Mid-division, headway and mistake 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, shaken up and no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Miss Midnight (10-3) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Delcombe 100-1 (10-12) Lost touch 6th, last of 17, well behind Sharajan (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
