broke well, held up, not clear run from 3f out until hampered well over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened well over 1f out
led 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden 2f out, hung right final furlong, one pace
soon prominent, led after 1f, ridden well over 1f out, ran on
prominent, driven halfway, stayed on same pace final 2f
slowly into stride, in rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, came wide, bumped entering straight, headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not trouble winner
Lost All Alone and Mr Loire come here in better form than most and narrow preference is for Lost All Alone. Despite a less than glamorous strike-rate, David Simcock's gelding can normally be relied upon to run his race. Today's jockey has ridden him on his two most recent starts and full aware of his strengths and weaknesses (can hand under pressure), a big run should be on the cards. Snow Bunting is a course and distance winner and Jedd O'Keefe's runner should not be easily overlooked, despite having not been able to take advantage of weaker company of late. Pauvic and Avontuur are two others who have fair form at the track, and cheek-pieces are tried for the first time on Avontuur in the hope of bringing about some improvement and consistency. Mr Loire hasn't looked totally in love with the game of late but certainly has solid claims on the pick of his runs, however we will return to Lost All Alone for the selection.
Lost All Alone 7-1 (8-4) Keen hold tracking leaders, chased leader over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Follow The Flag (9-5) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Snow Bunting 10-1 (9-1) Held up last, some late headway, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 6l behind Northern Desert (8-5) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Fish Called Johnny 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon outpaced, 8th of 11, 8l behind Arfinnit (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Smirfys Systems 17-2 (8-7) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden headed just over 1f out, weakened, 8th of 11, 10l behind Bens Georgie (8-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Avontuur (FR) 50-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 21l behind Silver Hotspur (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Pauvic (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 9th of 11, 16l behind Epidaurian King (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Ava's World (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 7th of 8, 8l behind Garlogs (8-6) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol.
Mr Loire 15-2 (8-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, no extra and faded inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Regal Royale (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol.