behind, not much room and check 3f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon beaten
towards rear, still rear well over 1f out, good headway 1f out, quicken to lead inside final furlong, soon clear readily
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders on outside, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, lost 2 places towards finish
mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden and keeping on when not clear run over 1f out, slightly eased and one pace afterwards
pressed leader to well over 1f out, still every chance 1f out, no extra and weakened well inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, weakened well inside final furlong
steadied start, very keen in rear, headway and effort on outer over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd final stride
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
BACK IN THE RED ran well from a poor draw last time at Kempton and is fancied to do so again; he gets the vote over any one of Spirit Of Coniston, Bluebok and Ryedane. Ron Harris slapped the blinkers on the selection two starts back and like many of his horses who have headgear on for the first time, it resulted in instant success. A comfortable win at Kempton, beating River Kirov reads well in the context of this race, and possessing the pace for this drop in trip he is fancied to add to his course and distance success. Ronnie Howe returns from an absence, whilst Spirit Of Coniston and Bluebok have both been holding their form well of late. Meancog is one of a few quickly turned out, but he has work to do to turn the tables on Bluebok and Cosmic Destiny. Recent winners Ryedane, Top Bid and Fizzlephut all need respect, but it is Back In The Red who can score.
Nickel Silver 4-1jt-fav (8-12) In touch, chased along halfway, driven over 1f, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Incomparable (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Cosmic Destiny (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Keen, switched left and headway over 1f out, no extra close home, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Step It Up (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Metal Guru 11-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Joyeaux (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Ronnie Howe 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 7l behind Miss Daawe (9-0) at Thirsk 5f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Bluebok 5-1 (8-9) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Step It Up (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Ryedane (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Admiral Bond (9-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Top Bid 10-1 (9-2) Made all far side, kept on well, won at Nottingham 5f hcp (6) hvy in Nov beating Jakeini (9-2) by 2l, 16 ran.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Went right start, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov beating Monte Major (8-8) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Spirit of Coniston 13-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Tenancy (9-12) at Musselburgh 5f amt hcp (6) sft in Nov.
Joss Stick 20-1 (8-13) Towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 4l behind Desert Opal (9-2) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Back In The Red (IRE) 2-1fav (8-10) Led over 4f out, stayed on well, pressed inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Littledodayno (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Meancog (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Step It Up (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
This Ones For Eddy 11-1 (9-4) Started slowly, towards rear, steady headway from inside final 2f, stayed on nearest finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind River Kirov (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
