in touch, challenged over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led briefly inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, headway 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, just held
close up, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up, weakened over 2f out
held up, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
with leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, outpaced over 2f out
always towards rear
slowly away, in rear, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
PRINCE NOEL is expected to make the most of the drop in grade but Singleb can never be discounted and Redarsene should be scoring before too long. Noel Wilson has dropped his gelding in grade following a couple of mildly disappointing runs but he clearly failed to act at Southwell last time. There's no such problem here as his record reads three wins, three seconds and a third from eight visits and he has a decent chance at the weights of recording his fourth success. Singleb tackles a new trip and this consistent gelding could struggle to concede 5lbs to the field but it's hard to envisage him not being involved at some stage. Redarsene shaped with a great deal of promise for his new yard in November in a handicap over course and distance and also makes a good bit of appeal despite his absence. Viscaya and Forbidden are two with less obvious claims that are worth considering but we fancy the form horses to come to the fore and fancy Prince Noel to come home in front.
Singleb (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Broke well, soon in touch, not clear run over 1f out, soon driven and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Great Leighs 1m sll (5) pol beating Sotik Star (8-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bold Indian (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Led, ridden when headed over 1f out, weakened quickly, 9th of 12, 10l behind Faithful Ruler (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Forbidden (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Towards rear, some late headway, never a factor, 8th of 14, 8l behind Full Title (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 0-60 pol in Nov.
Garden Party 25-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden 3f out, keeping on when not clear run 1f out, 8th of 15, 6l behind Outside Edge (8-13) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sept.
Prince Noel 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, pushed along, struggling from over 4f out, soon tailed off, last of 9, 27l behind Tri Chara (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 80-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden along over 5f, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 25l behind Transmission (9-5) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs.
The London Gang 66-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, prominent, weakened 3f out, last of 7, 28l behind Dichoh (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol.
Countrywide Comet (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced 2f out, soon struggling, 11th of 12, 11l behind Northern Desert (8-10) at Lingfield 7f sll (6) pol.
Herrbee (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Always in rear, last of 12, 18l behind Whodunit (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Mickys Mate 40-1 (9-3) Chased leaders to halfway, 8th of 10, 23l behind Spic 'n Span (8-12) at Southwell 5f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
Redarsene 6-1 (9-2) Behind, headway and chased leaders inside final furlong, not clear run and switched right, ran on, gaining towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Blues Minor (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Grand Court (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Behind, ridden 4f out, never a factor, 9th of 10, 8l behind Upstairs (8-13) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Viscaya (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, never able to challenge, 7th of 10, 29l behind Sorrento Moon (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gs in Aug.