took keen hold disputing 3rd, went 2nd well over 1f out, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, one pace and held when edged left well inside final furlong
soon chased leader, led 5f out, ridden and joined 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, lost well held 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, good headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on
led early, keen disputing close 3rd until trapped behind weakening rival and shuffled to rear over 4f out, rallied on inside over 1f out, stayed on to well held 3rd towards finish
slowly away, behind, rapid headway on outside over 5f out to chase leader over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon ledat steady pace, headed 5f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Final Drive has to defy a 12lb penalty and Strike Force may reverse recent form as a result, while Inpursuitoffreedom remains in fine fettle and look sure to be thereabouts at the finish. However, MR EMIRATI took the eye when landing his maiden over 7f here a fortnight ago. He could only manage fourth over C&D earlier, but that was his first run after nearly a year off and Bryan Smart's charge looks ready to take another step forward by scoring on his handicap debut.
Inpursuitoffreedom 10-11fav (9-7) Chased leaders, not much room well over 1f out, ridden and queezed trough gap entering final furlong, soon every chance, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Blue Moon (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leading trio, went 3rd well over 1f out, one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Catbells (8-10) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct.
Strike Force 10-3fav (10-4) Keen in rear, wide into straight 2f out, headway 1f, ridden and stayed on near finish, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind William's Way (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f am hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Mighty Clarets (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Raced wide, held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f outpaced well over 1f out, kept on one pace again inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Peter's Gift (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Justcallmehandsome 20-1 (8-12) Raced wide, tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Elijah Pepper (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Vanadium 25-1 (8-5) Always outpaced and struggling in rear, tailed off, last of 13, 37l behind Pinball (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Final Drive (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong,soon headed, rallied and stayed on under pressure to lead closing stages, all out, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating Wilfred Pickles (9-4) by nk, 10 ran.
Gazboolou 14-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Tuxedo (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Number One Guy 33-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 10l behind Burns Night (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Mr Emirati (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Dwelt in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway 2f out on outer, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, led inside final furlong, held on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Red Rhythm (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
