chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
in rear, one pace from over 1f out, never a factor
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on to lead towards finish
always towards rear
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, led over 2f out, kept on and headed towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, kept on
led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
A few of these arrive in good form, though neither Art Scholar and Priors Gold could cope with a rise in the weights last time having scored at this track before that. One who did handle a 7lb rise for his earlier win at Southwell was WILLIAM HAIGH, who followed up over a shorter trip here on his latest outing. Today's extra distance should be within his compass and a hat-trick looks on the cards for Alan Swinbank's charge. Raucous Behaviour is another in search of a treble and he looks a genuine threat ahead of last month's C&D winner Dark Dune, who is upped in class today.
Sir Boss (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 19l behind Irish Flame (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f stks (3yo+) (4) pol in Nov.
Guest Book (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Held up behind, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 15l behind William Haigh (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Nezhenka 6-1fav (9-10) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 15, 9l behind Direct Answer (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Brouhaha 12-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Raucous Behaviour (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Art Scholar (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Raucous Behaviour (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
William Haigh (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Standpoint (8-13) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
The Lock Master (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) In touch on outside, ridden and outpaced 2f, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 17l behind William Haigh (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Pertemps Networks 5-2 (9-6) Set steady pace, ridden and headed 3f out, plugged on same pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Sphinx (8-13) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Raucous Behaviour (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Brouhaha (9-6) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Dark Dune (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway over 3f out, went 2nd inside final 3f, led on bit over 1f out, soon clear, very easily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Sand Skier (8-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Jeer (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 35l behind Plattsburgh (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Priors Gold 5-4fav (9-8) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Wild Desert (10-0) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.