held up in touch, ridden 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, all out to lead close home
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, every chance final furlong, just held
led, ridden over 1f out, headed close home, just denied
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, progress and one pace final furlong
awkward start, never a factor
Nonrunner
Jimmy The Guesser gets the vote over Gifted Gamble and Top Mark, with Very Wise not totally out of it. This has the makings of a fairly open handicap, but if there is any justice then Jimmy The Guesser must surely go close. Nick Littmoden's charge has gone close to scoring on each of his last three outings, beaten around a length each time, and with this step up to a mile for the first time to help, can put matters right here. Gifted Gamble is another that has shown enough to suggest that there is a win around the corner, with a string of consistent efforts to his name, while Top Mark does not look too badly handicapped. Very Wise in contrast has topweight and an absence to overcome and is passed over, with preference very much for Jimmy The Guesser.
Very Wise 9-2jt-fav (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Banknote (9-5) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Gifted Gamble 6-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Bomber Command (8-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Atlantic Quest (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway and hung left from over 2f out, continued to hang left, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Kildare Sun (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Jimmy The Guesser 6-1 (8-13) Held up in touch on outer, effort to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge, 4th of 12, 3/4l behind Matuza (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Primo Way 4-1 (9-1) Chased winner to over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 9l behind Night Prospector (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Tender The Great (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Pulled hard, prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Tous Les Deux (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Top Mark 9-2 (9-3) Raced wide, held up, ridden, headway 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 9, 13l behind Red Contact (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Da Bookie (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven and beaten over 2f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind Hassaad (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.