slowly away, held up behind and keen, stayed on final furlong, nearest at finish
chased leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, headed post
mid-division on outer, ridden over 1f out, no impression
slowly away, behind, some headway on inside over 1f out, eased entering final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up behind and keen, ridden 1f out, no impression
dwelt, behind, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, stayed on strongly to take 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, ridden inside final furlong, no extra
HYPNOSIS didn't shape too badly over course and distance from a high draw last time and she wouldn't need to improve too much on that performance to take a hand in the finish of this heat. Noel Wilson has his team in good form at present and this mare may be able to capitalise on a handicap mark that has been in decline over the past 12 months. Lake Chini is in good form but may ideally prefer a stiffer test at this trip whilst Methaaly has also done most of his winning over further but Grudge has each-way claims if the cards drop right. Aalsmeer is another who could challenge for minor honours whilst Canadian Danehill and Silver Prelude are also well worth considering in a typically tough opener.
Methaaly (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Prince James (8-10) by 4l, 11 ran.
Triple Dream 25-1 (9-4) Always towards rear far side, 14th of 16, 9l behind Sharpened Edge (9-5) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Grudge 33-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sloop Johnb (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Hypnosis 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Grand Stitch (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
The Tatling (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Dwelt in rear, not troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 5l behind Barons Spy (9-7) at Bath 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Silver Prelude 16-1 (9-2) Chased leader until 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 9l behind Perlachy (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Aalsmeer 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division driven along halfway, one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Perlachy (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 9l behind Forever's Girl (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Silver Linnet (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Started very slowly, always behind, 10th of 13, 19l behind Mottley Crewe (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Harry Up 25-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 14l behind Grand Stitch (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Lake Chini (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ingleby Arch (9-5) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Oct.
Sharp Bullet (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 7l behind Towy Boy (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Dispol Grand (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along halfway weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 19l behind Mottley Crewe (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.