took keen hold in rear, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, headway over 1f out, ran on
led over 1f, prominent until weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well towards finish
slowly away, held up, some headway on inside over 1f out, no further progress
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to take narrow lead inside final furlong, held on
led over 10f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong
held up, behind, switched right well over 1f out, never dangerous
took keen hold in mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened 2f out
Top Spec, Bucks, Bethanys Boy and Pass The Port are three against the field in another tough race to call and the nomination is given to Top Spec. The selection won a claimer in good style last time out. He returns to the fray on the all-weather on a handy mark and from a good draw he looks a sporting bet in a trappy contest. Bethanys Boy rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Pass The Port but that rival is better off at the weights here and he will need to improve again if he is to score. Pass The Port is another that could go well but he is far from consistent and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Boundless Prospect has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but he is hard to win with. Of the remainder Dower House is from a yard in form and is another with place claims but he looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Top Spec.
Dower House 14-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Kingsholm (8-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
The Violin Player (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Annambo 14-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, no chance final 2f, 9th of 12, 6l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Pass The Port 15-2 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 12, nk behind Bethanys Boy (8-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Top Spec (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Leicester 1m 2f clm (5) gf in Sept beating Major Faux Pas (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bucks 7-2jt-fav (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, not clear run on inner over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Maystock (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f app hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Behind, kept on final furlong, never able to challenge, 7th of 11, 5l behind Obezyana (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Bethanys Boy (IRE) 7-2fav (8-7) Held up, headway on outer over 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov beating Pass The Port (9-3) by a nk, 12 ran.
