led early, stayed prominent, outpaced over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
behind, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on, not troubled winner
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, not clear run over 1f out, ridden just inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, edged left, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 1f out, weakened quickly, soon eased
prominent, soon pushed along, led over 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride, hampered after 1f, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, effort over 2f out, hung left, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Desert Opal,Shadow Jumper and Tapa look the three to concentrate on in this desperate seller and the vote is given to Desert Opal. The selection is dropping in grade looks to be on a fair mark and with his stable usually having a good strike rate at this time of year he look the one to be on. Shadow Jumper rates the main danger on his latest second behind Soba Jones he was clear of the third on that occasion and he will not be far away. Tapa is another that could go well on his best form but he has been expensive to follow and has been done no favours by the draw and again he looks vulnerable. Of the remainder Tiviski won well last time out but this looks more competitive while Imperium could run well at a price despite top weight but in another trappy affair for the winner we return to Desert Opal.
Desert Opal 7-2jt-fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway and ridden 2f out, never nearer, 6th of 10, 5l behind Tiviski (8-7) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Exit Smiling 66-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, led until headed just inside final furlong, weakened rapidly, 12th of 14, 6l behind Holiday Cocktail (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Red Sovereign 12-1 (9-0) Soon with leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Tiviski (8-7) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Why Harry 50-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, 22l behind Almaty Express (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 3-1fav (8-7) Chased leader, every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Soba Jones (8-6) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Tapa 16-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden 3f out, chased leaders well over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Vlasta Weiner (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Tiviski (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Always in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Dec beating Blythe Spirit (8-12) by a hd, 10 ran.
Imperium 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sonntag Blue (8-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
