went to post early, started slowly, well in rear, never a factor
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms
off the pace towards rear, no chance when hung badly left towards far side over 2f out
pressed leader who set strong pace and clear of rest, led 3f out, stayed centre in straight, headed and hung left just inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
raced keenly in 4th behind clear leading pair, closer over 2f out, soon switched left, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, led and hung left just inside final furlong, stayed on well
off the pace towards rear of mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon outpaced
went to post early, pulled hard in 3rd behind clear leading pair, ridden and lost that placing inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
raced out wide, off the pace in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon outpaced and beaten
raced keenly, led set strong pace and pressed, headed 3f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, no extra final furlong
well off the pace in last pair, headway on far rail under pressure 2f out, plugged on in 4th final stride
off the pace towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway towards far side 2f out, plugged on but lost modest 4th final stride
Barossa Red had his ground on his first start for new connections at Redcar but turned in a lacklustre effort, though still finished ahead of Hot Summer. Sacre Bleu travelled strongly at Nottingham but couldn’t repel the challenge of Smeaton and has been raised a further 2lb since. Viaduct’s win at Bath came on fast going but he is on an upward curve and could figure if handling conditions, though preference is for EPIC ENDEAVOUR. Bill Muir’s gelding had a subsequent winner back in third when beating a big field at Newbury last time and won on soft going at Chepstow earlier. This will be his first run over a mile but he should be suited. Mostawaa is a consistent sort but is struggling to win off this mark.
Ballard Down (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Raced keenly in last pair, closer on far rail 6f out, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, never dangerous after, 5th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Scottish Summit (9-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Barossa Red (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Led centre group, switched to near rail over 3f out, ridden and clear leader of that group 2f out, drifted back towards centre when weakening over 1f out, 9th of 16, 15 1/4l behind Al Erayg (9-7) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Viaduct 6-1 (9-5) Chased clear leader, closer when ridden and hung left over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Bath 1m hcp (4) fm in Sep beating Sheila's Showcase (8-13) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Mostawaa 4-1fav (10-1) Led, pushed along 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Ulshaw Bridge (9-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Epic Endeavour (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Made most, driven over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Newbury 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Karibana (9-8) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Hot Summer 14-1 (9-7) In touch in centre group, tracked leader and ridden as group drifted to near rail, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Al Erayg (9-7) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Global Esteem (IRE) 2-1fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Dashing Roger (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (4) gf in Sep.
George Of Hearts (FR) 7-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden and effort 3f out, switched left and reminders 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Latent Heat (8-11) at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Sacre Bleu 11-2 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Smeaton (9-8) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Blackcastle Storm 9-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 15, 11 1/2l behind Star Shield (9-12) at Haydock 1m hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Gloweth 10-1 (9-9) Towards rear, eased over 2f out, virtually pulled up, last of 14, dist behind Smeaton (9-8) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
