took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
raced freely, made all, travelling best 2f out, ridden and pressed inside final furlong, held on gamely (hand-timed)
tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway and edged left over 1f out, 4th and one pace final furlong, almost snatched 3rd
steadied start, took keen hold, held up in 6th, headway on wide outside 2f out, never reached leaders and beaten over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in 5th, headway under pressure over 2f out, never reached leaders and weakened final furlong
unseated rider on way to post, slowly into stride, behind and never a factor
HARWOODS STAR has been threatening to finally open his account having slipped down the weights. Placed at Chepstow and then Salisbury last time, Richard Hughes takes over in the saddle and may eke out the small amount of improvement needed to get his head in front. Shifting Star could also figure on his recent form over 7f but Celestial Ray is preferred on his latest second over a mile at Lingfield. My Manekineko scored at Yarmouth in between a couple of woeful efforts while Siouxperhero is back on a winning back but is struggling for form.
Bertie Moon 14-1 (8-13) Led until halfway, chased leader until 3f out, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 24l behind Diplomatic (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-68 (5) pol in Oct.
Shifting Star (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Led, headed after 1f, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Mrs Warren (9-6) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Siouxperhero (IRE) 9-2fav (9-10) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 14, 11l behind Roxy Lane (8-7) at Newmarket 1m app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
My Manekineko 10-3 (9-2) Raced centre 6f out, tracked leader, led this group over 4f out, merged with stand side and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 10l behind Hot Mustard (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Harwoods Star (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Tracked winner, ridden and chance 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Perfect Mission (10-12) at Salisbury 7f am hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Celestial Ray 3-1fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon recovered tracking leading pair, driven and went 2nd on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind For Shia And Lula (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Capers Royal Star (FR) 40-1 (8-2) Keen pressed leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 10l behind Voyageofdiscovery (8-10) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Star Anise (FR) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Jazzy Lady (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.