always in rear
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, hampered and lost place on inside over 3f out, behind over 2f out
went slightly left and slowly in to stride, held up, headway over 2f out, came wide entering straight, hung left and led inside final furlong, ran on
carried slightly left start, held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold, soon tracking leader, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on
mid division, headway over 2f out, wanting to hand left from over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
slowly away, took keen hold, headway 6f out, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
DIVINE FORCE was well-backed to defy a rise in the ratings last week before finishing a close-up third, but losses can be recouped today ahead of Just Jimmy and Smalljohn. Michael Wigham's charge won readily over six furlongs at the start of December but had plenty go wrong when bidding to repeat the trick last time, when a lack of pace hindered his chances. The step up to seven today is a slight concern but he's capable of scoring off this mark and it looks worth chancing that the seventh furlong won't stop him. Toby Atkinson is an able rider and can steer this one to victory from Just Jimmy, who arrives in search of a hat-trick. David Evans' gelding is up 3lb for what was only a narrow success last time, but there can be no crabbing his desire and as all four of his wins have come here plenty will back him to go in again. Smalljohn is our idea of a bigger priced threat, a view enhanced by the recent good form of the Brian Smart yard. This one was held in selling company last time but has been dropped 4lb for what wasn't a bad effort and he's won off higher marks here before. Goodbye Cash is engaged to run on Saturday and that effort will tell us much about his prospects here, but our feeling at this stage is that this one is high enough in the ratings, Well Of Echoes receives plenty of weight from all rivals and represents an in-form yard so could go well, whilst Star Strider might need dropping a few pounds more before scoring again. Carmenero has the assistance of William Carson but has been struggling, Golden Penny is out of form and carries top weight and A Big Sky Brewing hasn't won for some time. This is a tough apprentice handicap but Divine Force has been in good heart of late and should run another solid race; we hope it's enough.
Golden Penny 16-1 (9-4) Soon led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 17l behind Mcconnell (9-4) at Southwell 1m clm stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Just Jimmy (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, led well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec beating Rubenstar (9-4) by hd, 9 ran.
A Big Sky Brewing (USA) 14-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, soon chased leaders on outside, came wide and ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 7l behind Forward Feline (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Divine Force 6-4fav (9-2) Dwelt, behind, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Imperial House (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Smalljohn 15-2 (8-12) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on under pressure but always held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Trade Centre (9-4) at Lingfield 7f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Star Strider 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 8l behind Diapason (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Jord (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 9l behind Chia (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Carmenero (GER) 25-1 (8-1) Behind, ridden over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 9, 4l behind Sarah's Art (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Well of Echoes 7-2 (8-6) Led after 1f, headed 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Interchoice Star (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol.
Goodbye Cash (IRE) 11-4fav (8-9) Pulled hard, made all, ridden and hung left from well over 1f out, held on gamely finally furlong, all out, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Support Fund (9-7) by nk, 8 ran.
