tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon headed, hard ridden and rallied to regain lead towards finish
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, chased leaders over 2f out, led final furlong, hard ridden inside final furlong, headed towards finish
tracked leader, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
NEW CHRISTMAS should take the beating here with Be A Devil representing the most pertinent of dangers. Brian Meehan's charge found plenty when asked for his effort at Lingfield and a 4lb rise should not stop him from following up. Be A Devil narrowly failed to hold off the late thrust of Lisahane Bog over seven at Lingfield so the step up in trip is interesting. Mark Johnston has sent out plenty of winners this week so Epic is sure to be competitive. Ant Music takes his first run on an artificial surface tonight. Fine Lace and Orsett Lad have had easier chances than this and have failed to sparkle. New Christmas will be short odds in the nightcap but he looks difficult to be fielding against.
New Christmas (USA) 3-1 (9-6) Always prominent, led over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, always holding on, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol beating Edward Whymper (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Epic (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden when not much room on inside over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 16l behind Nafura (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Be A Devil 13-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 11, nk behind Lisahane Bog (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol.
Ant Music (IRE) 16-1 (7-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 16l behind Lamh Albasser (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Fine Lace (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, headed 1f out, soon rallied, weakened close home, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Mary Helen (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Orsett Lad (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, behind, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 11l behind Lisahane Bog (9-4) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.