chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
always towards rear
in touch, faded final 2f
led for 1f, chased leader, every chance over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, one pace
always towards rear
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, weakened over 4f out
led after 1f, headed over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced over 3f out
This is a tricky start to the card and a narrow vote is given to Davidia, North Walk and Defi are two others in with a shout. The selection is making his Wolverhampton debut, but has gone well at both Kempton and Lingfield in the past. The pick of his form this season was over this trip at the latter venue when chasing home Nicki Bea, a repeat of that effort could be good enough in this company. North Walk was in good form earlier in the season when placed in handicaps of a mark of 80. He hasn't shown much recently but this does represent a drop in class and it would be no surprise to see this one go close. Defi looks up against it on official ratings but did run a solid race over course and distance last time out. Top Mark and Goose Chase are two others to consider for each-way punters, but our idea of the winner is Davidia.
Defi (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 4th of 11, 6l behind Eccollo (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Diamonds And Dust 16-1 (9-8) Prominent 5f, last of 12, 13l behind Glencalvie (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept.
Methusaleh (IRE) 28-1 (8-3) Always in rear, 6th of 9, 7l behind Dig Deep (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcap (4) pol.
North Walk (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out, 11th of 12, 9l behind Kabeer (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcap (5) pol.
Top Mark 9-2 (9-3) Raced wide, held up, ridden, headway 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 9, 13l behind Red Contact (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Goose Chase 3-1 (8-12) In touch, effort and hung left from over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 10, 3l behind Ludovico (8-12) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Davidia (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Close up, hard ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Generous Lad (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Ask No More 20-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Western Roots (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) std in Nov.