in touch, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, held when slightly hampered approaching final furlong
always in rear
in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to join leaders over 1f out, one pace
led, ridden when headed over 1f out when weakened
slowly into stride, always in rear
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, hung left, kept on
always in rear
tracked leaders throughout, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, soon clear
held up towards rear, raced wide, stayed on well from over 1f out, no chance with winner
A chance is taken on the fitness of Aventura, who has gone well when fresh in the past, and he gets the nod as a value nomination over Norwegian and Second Reef. The last named has held his form well of late and, as he obviously likes this course, he has to be a leading contender in this company. This is his level and he should again run his race. Norwegian bounced back to form in a Banded Stakes over c&d last month and would be dangerous to rule out now that he has rediscovered what it takes to put his head in front (and stay there to the line!). This is not a much harder task and the six-year-old will be a threat to them all if he dishes out a repeat dose. Another worth a mention is Royal embrace, who has gone close to losing his maiden tag on several occasions in the past. The son of Bertolini has some solid course form to his name (in the context of this race) and he is one to consider for a place. However, Aventura makes a touch more appeal from a betting perspective, as he seems to reserve his best efforts for the All Weather surfaces. The seven-year-old has won after a lay-off in the past, so his absence since June is not such a worry today. His trainer, Roy Bowring, has never lost faith in the selection and the Nottinghamshire-based trainer appears to have found a fair opening for his charge to pay off some of his training fees.
Norwegian 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Dec beating Weet Yer Tern (9-0) by a hd, 12 ran.
Aventura (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Mister Elegant (9-10) at W'hampton 7f sll hcp (6) pol in Jun.
First Generation 66-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, lost place and hampered over 3f out, last of 12, 31l behind Saameq (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Joe Jo Star 12-1 (8-5) Mid-division, headway 2f out, not much room just over 1f out, no extra, 8th of 13, 8l behind Mozie Cat (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Ronnies Lad 100-1 (8-12) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 5th of 13, 3l behind Top Mark (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol in Dec.
Second Reef 7-1 (8-6) Held up, no clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon headed, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Peruvian Prince (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Spy Gun (USA) 16-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 12l behind Ming Vase (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gf in Jul.
The Terminator (IRE) 50-1 (7-12) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 8th of 9, 11l behind Vibrato (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
George's Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 9l behind Top Mark (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol in Dec.
Royal Embrace 16-1 (9-3) Very slow away, behind and outpaced over 3f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Networker (9-3) at W'hampton 7f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Dec.
Sanders Boy 50-1 (8-12) Soon in rear, some headway over 2f out, no impression when squeezed out over 1f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind The London Gang (9-5) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Bathwick Emma (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (7-11) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, edged right 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 2l behind The City Kid (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (6) pol in Dec.
Jiminor Mack 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind Padre Nostro (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
