chased leaders, hard ridden and weakend over 1f out
raced wide, never on terms with leaders, weakened 2f out
chased winner until over 1f out, no impression when lost 3rd well inside final furlong
made all, ridden and edged left entering final furlong, held on well close home
close up in 5th, ridden on inside 2f out, kept on to modest 3rd well inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ran on and closed on winner close home, always just held
started slowly, in rear, headway when not clear run and switched left over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
Considering he had to overcome trouble in-running, EVEN STEVENS victory in a nursery over the minimum trip at Kempton in October was all the more meritorious and he is taken to follow-up here. He has joined Dandy Nicholls' yard since his win and with decent claimer Billy Cray easing his burden, he looks the one to beat. Misscomplacent was not far behind the selection at Kempton but having since won herself she is now 5lb higher in the weights. A bigger threat could come from the unexposed Albany Rose, who finished a good third over C&D last month and makes her handicap debut.
Pineapple Pete (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Pulled hard chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Magic Cross (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Misscomplacent 3-1fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Magic Cross (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Just For Leo (IRE) 3-1 (8-12) In touch, pushed along halfway, one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 7l behind Je Suis Unrockstar (8-12) at Southwell 5f 2yo sll (6) std in Nov.
Albany Rose (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leading duo until 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Mr Optimistic (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Koha (USA) 12-1 (8-12) With leader, every chance over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 8l behind Believe It Or Not (9-3) at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Lisselton Cross 40-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, headway to go 3rd inside final furlong, driven and stayed on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Insolenceofoffice (9-9) at Kempton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Ladydolly 66-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, some modest headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 9l behind Mr Optimistic (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Even Stevens 9-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, wide and lost place briefly on bend over 3f out, ran on inside final furlong, led post, won at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct beating Shutupandrive (8-6) by ns, 12 ran.
Veuveveuvevoom 100-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Crimson Cloud (8-12) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.