pressed leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, joined winner post
pushed along to soon led, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, all out and joined post
raced wide close up, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 1f out, never nearer
dwelt in touch, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on close home
in rear, pushed along 2f out, never on terms
keen in rear, never on terms
NonRunner
It took Bernard Spierpoint 19 attempts to get his head in front having landed a novices race at Southwell last week. BLACKCURRENT won a handicap at Newcastle last time and another bold bid is expected in this lowly grade. First Verse finished in front of Bluella and Surewecan when runner-up over track and trip last time though had earlier found the runner-up Glen Rosa too good here and the latter should be in the mix again.
Bernard Spierpoint 9-2 (9-5) Disputed lead towards far side, led after 1f, shaken up 2f out, pressed and ridden over 1f out, ran on well final furlong and going away at line, won at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Dec beating Bridgetown (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Blackcurrent 22-1 (8-3) Disputed lead towards centre, pushed along under 3f out, led well over 1f out but soon pressed, ran on gamely, won at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Stroxx (8-13) by nk, 14 ran.
Bluella 22-1 (8-12) Off the pace in last pair, headway towards inside when carried left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Blazing Hot (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Captain Ryan 16-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 14l behind Admirable Lad (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
First Verse (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Switched left start, held up towards rear, waiting for room on inside until gap opened turning in, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 110 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Blazing Hot (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Glen Rosa 14-1 (9-1) Dwelt tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Q Twenty Boy (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Mansfield 14-1 (9-0) Off the pace towards rear, wide home turn, never on terms, 8th of 11, 7l behind Blazing Hot (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Rhubarb 33-1 (8-11) Pushed along in rear, never on terms, 11th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Khulu (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Surewecan 12-1 (8-13) Keen towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 4l behind Patontheback (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Swooper 66-1 (9-1) Dwelt towards rear, never on terms, last of 12, 14 1/2l behind Porfin (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
La Chica Lobo 80-1 (9-0) Disputed lead towards stands side, close up after 1f, niggled along over 2f out, outpaced under 2f out and soon held, 7th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Bernard Spierpoint (9-5) at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Dec.
