held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on
held up headway over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, challenged over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
pushed along towrds rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
tracked leaders, led 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra
slow into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
With Brian Ellison's horses running well this can go to AS BRAVE AS YOU ahead of Sounds Of Thunder and Bubbly Braveheart. Our selection has been steadily improving with racing and put up arguably his best effort last time when third to an above-average sort for the grade. That race was at the altogether different Southwell venue but the gelding had run well here prior to that and so having been dropped a pound since his last run this son of Hawk Wing rates a sporting selection in what is a very trappy contest, with the capable Martin Lane taking over in the saddle. Sounds Of Thunder has to give weight to all of her rivals here but may well be capable of doing so having looked a shade unlucky here last time. Dropped a pound for that respectable effort over course and distance Harry Dunlop's filly must have solid claims from a good draw with Eddie Ahern up for the first time. Bubbly Braveheart is one of the more exposed animals on display here having had eight career starts, none of which having yet provided a win. However, Alan Bailey's gelding took second over this course and distance off a 3lb higher mark back in October and if returning to Dunstall Park in similar form must have a chance of adding victory to a solid run of efforts. Since making his debut at Lingfield the gelding has twice run on artificial surfaces and those efforts look the pick of his form and so Robert Winston can guide this one to at least a place. In a race where few can be confidently ruled out North Shadow will attract his share of support but this gelding's sole success came over 6f and he's far from certain to stay whilst similar comments apply to the hard-pulling Kyoatee Kilt who makes his handicap debut but this son of Kyllachy might be best suited by sprint distances. A low-grade but competitive nursery that can go the way of As Brave As You.
Sounds Of Thunder 12-1 (8-13) In rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 6l behind Nafura (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol.
Alphacino 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division on outside, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 23l behind William Morgan (9-0) at Redcar 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Tiger Hawk (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Led, headed halfway, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Mary Helen (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
Second Brook (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Raced wide, held up, never a factor, 7th of 12, 9l behind Gramercy (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Bubbly Braveheart (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed narrowly entering final 2f, still every chance, until no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Whipperway (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2yo sell stks (6) pol.
Kyoatee Kilt 14-1 (9-3) Held up, effort on inside over 2f out, never really a factor, 5th of 9, 8l behind Khanivorous (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol.
North Shadow 9-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden on outside 2f out, weakened final 1f, 6th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Imjin River (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol.
Always De One 25-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, hung left under pressure over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous, 7th of 17, 8l behind Medicinal Compound (9-3) at Redcar 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Oct.
Jennerous Blue 100-1 (8-9) In rear, ridden and kept on approaching final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 11l behind Con Artist (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
She's My Rock (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 8, 12l behind Jarrow (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
As Brave As You (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Comradeship (9-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Heligoland 150-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 18l behind Elspeth's Boy (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Creevy (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 7l behind Lisahane Bog (9-4) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
