mid-division in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, never on terms
slowly into stride, held up behind, driven and headway inside final 2f, stayed on well on outside to lead towards finish
mid-division in touch on inside, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leader 4f, in touch, ridden to lead entering final furlong, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never reached leaders
held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division on outside, headway to track leader after 4f, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place, behind final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
in touch on outside, driven 3f out, lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression inside final furlong
The veteran Kames Park has been going well enough but hasn't won for over a year while Layla's Boy's only victory in 39 starts came on Fibresand. The lightly-raced Arte Del Calcio has been running reasonably well over hurdles and reverts to the Flat on a fair mark but Annelko has never won on the all-weather and may need further, a remark that also applies to Born To Perform, who returns after a very long absence. Royal Sea is in good form at this level and is an obvious threat from his lowly spot in the handicap though he's never raced beyond 1m1f. VIOLA DA GAMBA has yet to win a race but as gone well enough in the past to suggest he's capable of taking this under Jamie Spencer, who rides him for the first time.
The Ducking Stool 14-1 (9-1) Led, headed over 8f out, tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, well behind Layline (9-10) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Oct.
Kames Park (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Steadied in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Tram Express (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Maison Brillet (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 7th of 8, 14l behind Stand Guard (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Annelko 7-2fav (9-7) Behind, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Jacobs Son (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Layla's Boy 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Scribe (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
State Senator (USA) 33-1 (9-13) Mid-division on inside, lost place over 2f out, soon behind, 8th of 10, 13l behind Cheers For Thea (10-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Viola da Gamba (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Keen in touch, effort 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 2l behind Thecornishcowboy (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Arte Del Calcio 14-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Graylyn Valentino (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Aug.
Daring Damsel (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure final 2f, never on terms, 6th of 10, 11l behind Cheers For Thea (10-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Hartforth 7-1 (9-5) Led, jinked badly left on stable bend over 9f out, headed 7f out, weakened 3f out, last of 6, 29l behind Mina's Boy (8-12) at Beverley 2m 3yo mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul '11.
Royal Sea (IRE) 5-6fav (9-5) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, effort when hung left under pressure entering final furlong, every chance closing stages, not ran on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Safwaan (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Selling Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) pol in Dec.
Born To Perform 13-8fav (9-8) Awkwardly away, soon in touch on outside, went 2nd 7f out, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, kept on and every chance until one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind They All Laughed (8-12) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fm in May '10.
