held up last, steady headway on bit after 3 out, challenged last, confidentely ridden and shaken up to lead last, ran on
held up towards rear, ridden and effort 2 out, weakened approaching last
pulled early and chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, led and jumped right 2 out, ridden and jumped right last, headed flat, no extra
mid-division, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, lost iron briefly after 3rd, weakened before 4th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on bit 3 out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
A moderate contest can go the way of The Rip, with Glowing Ember and Nagano the other main players. This really should take little winning, and the four-year-old The Rip may be capable of putting one over on mainly older rivals. A maiden on the Flat for Tim Easterby, Robert Stronge's charge seemed to take to the winter game when staying on well to finish fourth at Plumpton despite running wide on the bends. In a weak affair such as this it would be no great surprise if he prevailed under useful conditional Liam Heard. Glowing Ember made an inauspicious start to his hurdling career in August but shaped well enough when third at Huntingdon last time to be considered for a place at least. The ex-French Nagano has not really progressed since finishing sixth to Rebel Rhythm at Haydock last November, and will probably need this first outing since May, so all in all, with the rest having plenty to find, the percentage call has to be The Rip.
Albarino (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Rear of mid division, improved into 7th 4 out, ridden and no extra from before straight, 10th of 16, 16l behind Dream Castle (11-5) at Listowel 2m hdl gd in Sept.
La Professoressa (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Never going in rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Be Wise Girl (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Mr Rhubarb (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) refused in race won by Three Ships (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m amt nov hdl (E) gf in May, 14 ran.
Nagano (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 10th, every chance last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 6l behind Sky Warrior (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in May.
Wizzical Lad 200-1 (10-5) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 8, well behind Russian Around (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Glowing Ember 9-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Dr Cerullo (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
The Rip 17-2 (10-5) Held up, steady headway from 3 out, ridden to dispute fourth place when not fluent next, no impression on leaders, 4th of 11, 9l behind Madison de Vonnas (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Oct.
Sunset King (USA) 20-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 32l behind Nesnaas (10-13) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) frm in Oct.
Josear 15-2 (10-12) Held up, in touch, mistake 4th, every chance 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 8l behind First Fought (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
