always in rear
towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and ran on, just held
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened and edged left over 1f out
made all, ridden 3f out, kept on well
chased winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
mid-division on outside, ridden 3f out, soon held
Sweet Pickle, Expensive Art and Hotham look the three to concentrate on in this handicap and the vote is given to Hotham. The selection has been in good form of late and he was a fair fourth behind Desperate Dan last time out. That horse has since been out and won so the form looks solid enough and he can regain the winning thread from the plum draw. Sweet Pickle rates the main danger as she beat Came Back with a little in hand last time. However consistency is not her strong point and she had previously been well beaten here. Expensive Art is another last time out winner that is worthy of respect as he beat Feelin Foxy last time, but he will need to improve again to win off this higher mark against these experienced handicappers. Louphole looks weighted up to his best and he has a dreadful draw, while Jilly Why and Memphis Man are well weighted on their best form and are others to note in the market. This is a race where few can be ruled out but for the winner we will stick with Hotham.
Louphole 15-2 (9-5) Behind, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind For Life (8-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Diminuto 33-1 (8-12) Soon chasing leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Will He Wish (9-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Hotham 9-4fav (9-1) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up, headway, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 2l behind Desperate Dan (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Tilly's Dream 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 8l behind Tudor Prince (9-4) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Methaaly (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway well over 2f out, soon hung right, ran wide entering straight, stayed on same pace, 5th of 10, 3l behind Parkview Love (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Game Lady 16-1 (9-5) Behind most way, 11th of 16, 9l behind Efisio Princess (8-5) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
After The Show 12-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Cornus (9-10) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Cerebus 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, switched right after 1f, soon in touch, driven 2f out, kept on, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Sweet Pickle (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Jilly Why (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Parkview Love (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Memphis Marie 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakening when edged left inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 11l behind Wadnagin (8-11) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Sweet Pickle 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leader and keen, ridden to challenge leader over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Came Back (8-10) by a nk, 10 ran.
Expensive Art (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders, headway over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Feelin Foxy (8-13) by 1l, 9 ran.
