led briefly, chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace of winner
raced keenly tracking leaders on inside, angled out turning in, not clear run and switched back left, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, readily
slowly into stride and switched left start, held up in rear, never a factor
wore hood to post, held up off the pace in 6th out wide, pushed along 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong
off the pace in 5th, plugged on into modest 4th towards finish, never on terms
half-reared start, chased leaders, weakened quickly over 1f out
soon led and raced keenly, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd
NonRunner
Debora's Dream debuts in a handicap having won a maiden here but several are less exposed. Miami Heat scored at Kempton on his handicap debut and is 4lb higher while Neapolitan has gone close in novice company and IPPOTHEOS won a novices race over 6f at the track on his first start for Mick Appleby. The latter gave the impression this extra distance would suit and he may come out best in a tight contest.
Neapolitan (FR) 5-2 (9-10) Took keen hold, close up in touch, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden, pressed for 2nd entering final furlong, stayed on into 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Lou Lou's Gift (8-13) at Newcastle 6f stks (4) pol in Nov.
Gunfighter (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up off the pace in mid-division, headway over 1f out, hung left and kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Ziggy's Dream (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f (4) pol in Nov.
Sala Da Ballo 2-1fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just missed 2nd, never any chance with easy winner, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Habrdi (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f (4) pol in Nov.
Debora's Dream (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Galloping On (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ippotheos (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Towards rear, soon pushed along, headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on well, led close home, won at Wolverhampton 6f stks (4) pol in Dec beating Completely Random (9-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Miami Heat 9-2 (9-6) Took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 7f (5) pol in Nov beating High Handed (9-6) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Different Breed (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Hampered start, tracked leader after 1f, pushed along and every chance 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Sommelier (9-9) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Bazball (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Midfield, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, lead narrowly final 110 yards, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind The Bitter Moose (9-5) at Lingfield 7f (5) pol in Dec.
