chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
set steady pace, quickened clear 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, stayed on well
took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
took keen hold, soon tracking winner, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd 1f out, one pace
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and one pace when hung left over 1f out
took keen hold, always behind
held up in mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up and always behind
in touch, ridden, hung left and went 2nd 1f out, not reach winner
Five Two, a winner over course and distance last month, ran well in defeat here over further last time and has every chance off the same mark today but marginal preference is for GRANLYN RUBY, who is chosen ahead of Remember Ramon. Jonathan Gask's gelding has shown improved form in recent starts and has to be respected racing off a 1lb lower mark than last time. The John Harris-trained Dragon Slayer ran creditably at Yarmouth last time but he is another that could probably do with some help from the handicapper, while Locum has yet to win a race from 11 starts and may again have to settle for minor honours. The vote then goes to Jonathan Jay's Granlyn Ruby, who has been in good form with wins at Lingfield and Kempton of late, was not disgraced at Great Leighs last time and he is taken to resume winning ways.
New Beginning (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Held up, keen, effort over 3f out, soon driven and weakened, last of 12, 20l behind Times Vital (8-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct.
Remember Ramon (USA) 11-8fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway to go 2nd over 2f out, led entering final 2f, no extra when headed just inside final furlong, lost 2 places near finish, 5th of 14, 4l behind Ryedale Ovation (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Keen, tracked leader after 2f, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4l behind Best Prospect (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Graylyn Ruby (FR) 11-4 (8-11) Tracked leader, under pressure 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Precision Break (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Five Two 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Precision Break (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Swords 9-2 (8-7) Reared start, took keen hold towards rear, never on terms, lost touch final 2f, last of 9, 25l behind Dance The Star (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Drawn Gold 13-2 (9-0) In touch, chased leaders over 2f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 16, 3l behind Wiggy Smith (9-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Freedom Song 12-1 (9-4) In touch to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 14, 12l behind Princess India (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Locum 7-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Phoenix Flight (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.