tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8f out until 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, switched sharply right to outside and rapid headway over 4f out, went 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, clear when hung left over 1f out, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
chased leadrs, clipped heels and stumbled 5f out, outpaced and lost place over 3f out, rallied on outside to 3rd over 1f out, no impression
held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leader until 8f out, stayed in 3rd place until ridden and weakened 5f out, tailed off
Nonrunner
Irish raider Sughera has improved over hurdles since last seen on the Flat and is potentially well handicapped here though he was engaged at Dundalk last night, while Royal Bonsai also arrives on the back of a win over hurdles, though he looks high enough in the weights judged on his recent form on the level. Art Thief got off the mark over C&D in September and makes more appeal than last week's winner here Royal Alcor as the latter is unproven over today's longer trip, but the vote goes to FIFTY CENTS. He can race off a lower mark today than when scoring at Kempton in September thanks to the younger Brendan Powell's claim and he looks set to take advantage.
Dream Catcher (SWE) 10-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway on outside to chase leaders over 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, soon every chance until held over 1f out, weakened to 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Whenever (10-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Fifty Cents 3-1fav (9-3) Led, driven clear over 1f out, no extra and headed close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Ninfea (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Royal Alcor (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol beating Beauchamp Xiara (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Graycliffe (IRE) 22-1 (9-12) Reared start, slowly away, in rear, reminders 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 31l behind The Drunken Dr (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Royal Bonsai 13-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 9l behind Strikemaster (9-3) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Art Thief 9-2 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, stayed on under pressure, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep beating Saloon (9-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Crafty George (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, weakend over 1f out, soon eased, 11th of 12, 21l behind Tigerino (8-5) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Prince Golan (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden 3f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 12l behind Bennelong (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f Apprentice Selling Handicap (0-65) (3yo+) (6) sft in Sep.
Sughera (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and lost place early straight, no extra, 9th of 13, 21l behind Word For Word (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Sep '10.
Shirataki (IRE) 11-4fav (8-6) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, eased, last of 8, 25l behind Lady Gabrielle (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
Ma Browne (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along entering straight, kept on one pace without threatening, 7th of 12, 19l behind Baitsileir (9-5) at Naas 1m mdn stks gf in Jul.
