steaied and switched left start, held up in last pair, headway on inside over 1f out, never going pace to reach leaders
outpaced in last pair, never involved
chased leaders, headway out wide over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge
mid-division on inside, switched right turning in, soon headway chasing leaders, weakened final 100 yards
chased leaders, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd and closing towards finish, just held
chased leaders out wide, went 2nd 5f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear of mid-division, some headway out wide and hung left inside final furlong, never a threat
led, went clear 2f out, reduced lead over 1f out, ridden and headed towards finish, soon lost two places
off the pace and always towards rear
Dark Shot won in a higher grade at Southwell and is only a pound higher but isn’t one to rely upon. Bezzas Lad would have a chance on his best form and Lilkian is in good form and seeking a 10th win on the all-weather. Porfin and Bare Necessity are previous course and distance winners and The Thin Blue Line usually takes on stronger opposition but most of his form is over 5f. ALGHEED (NAP) has been done no favours by the draw again but did finish ahead of Alcazan under similar circumstances here earlier in the month and could take some pegging back if breaking smartly.
Ahlawi 11-2 (9-4) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 7l behind Anif (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
The Thin Blue Line (IRE) 7-2 (8-5) Held up, ridden 2f out, kept on, 5th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Bedford Flyer (9-8) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Inevitable Outcome (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) In towards rear, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 8, 10l behind Muscika (9-9) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Algheed (IRE) 15-2 (9-8) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 4 3/4l behind Embour (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Lilkian 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and switched right over 1f out, kept on one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Muscika (9-9) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Alcazan 15-2 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, stayed on well inside final 110yds, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Pop Dancer (9-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Bare Necessity (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, soon led, headed entering final furlong, hung left and weakened, 8th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Thapa VC (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Porfin (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) In touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Embour (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Ooh Is It 33-1 (9-5) Raced wide, led, headed over 3f out, prominent, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Embour (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Bezzas Lad (IRE) 28-1 (9-8) Raced wide and always towards rear, last of 11, 12 3/4l behind Rattling (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Dark Shot 22-1 (8-8) Mid-division on inside, headway going well 2f out, disputed lead final furlong, kept on well, on top close home, gamely, won at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Another Investment (9-11) by nk, 10 ran.
