went right and reluctant leaving stalls, soon driven along in rear, behind final 5f, tailed off
held up in touch, 4th and outpaced by leading trio over 3f out, went poor 3rd entering final 2f
chased leading pair, reminders 4f out, led 3f out, soon driven, clear when edged right final furlong
chased leader, chased winner from 3f out, no impression over 1f out, stayed on for clear 2nd
led, driven and headed 3f out, soon weakened, lost poor 3rd entering final 2f, tailed off
chased leading trio, reminders 7f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
Nonrunner
There looks to be just the three to concentrate on here. Half Sister produced a better effort when third here last time, albeit in a lowly claimer, and the step up to today's distance at Kempton recently showed Rhythm Stick in a better light. John Berry's charge looks capable of going close, but THE WONGA COUP has also been threatening to get his head in front lately. A couple of placed efforts at Lingfield last month, including a good third over today's distance, suggest today could be his day.
Defence Of Realm (GER) 5-1 (10-2) Raced in rear, under pressure 4f out, never a factor, last of 13, well behind Brabazon (9-7) at Lingfield 2m am hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Noverre Over There (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division on outer, chased leaders after 2f, faultered and quickly pulled up over 5f out, in a race won by D'urberville (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep, 13 ran.
Rhythm Stick 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Lucas Pitt (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Nov.
Port Hill 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 6f out, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Lucas Pitt (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Nov.
Half Sister (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Led, headed over 7f out, regained lead 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Humor Me Rene (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Sue And Sue 33-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, last of 9, 26l behind Querido (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Ancient Times (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Outpaced towards rear, eased 3f out, tailed off, 12th of 14, 30l behind McConnell (9-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
The Wonga Coup (IRE) 6-1 (8-5) Always prominent, chased clear leader well over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 12, hd behind Buona Sarah (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
