held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on one pace
led, headed over 2f out, soon pushed along, weakened
held up, weakened entering final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, headway over 2f out, no extra
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace
held up mid-division, staying on when not much room inside final furlong
chased leader, pushed along over 3f out, not much room over 1f out, soon eased
held up behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led near finish
held up and keen, stayed on final furlong
held up in touch, one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, keen, tracked leaders over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside last, no extra towards finish
A chance is taken on LIBRE who may be able to step up on recent efforts to take this from Hi Spec and the in-form Mighty Mover. Jerry O'Dwyer's mount is nine years old now and is clearly not the same proposition as when winning here off marks as high as 70 a few years ago. However, today's handicap rating of 48 represents a career-low and there might just be a bit of life in the old dog yet judging by the gelding's fourth place off a pound higher last time out. That staying-on effort in similar company suggested a small race might come the way of the veteran who is also entitled to go close here when judged on a close second at Chepstow back in September. The draw in stall 13 is of course a concern but they should go a good gallop and that can enable O'Dwyer to tuck the horse in behind before unleashing a telling late surge. Hi Spec is interesting here off a lowly 46. The mare took third at Kempton last time behind a decent sort for the grade and as a horse who has raced only six times this year she may be fresher than most. A winner here off 44 at around this time last year, Andrea Atzeni's mount may be able to take a hand in the finish off just two pounds higher at the scene of both her career victories. Mighty Mover had been in good form prior to disappointing last time but plenty will be prepared to give this one a chance to prove that run all wrong here. Luke Morris was aboard the gelding when the pair combined for a convincing success off a rating of 50 back in October and if in the same sort of form today a 5lb higher mark wouldn't look too harsh. From a good-looking draw in stall two for one who can race prominently this gelding is likely to go off favourite and should be involved in the finish. Sairaam could represent a bit of value here returned to the same mark that saw her gaining her sole victory, that effort coming at Yarmouth in September. Interestingly Kirsty Milczarek was aboard that day and rides the filly for the first time since and it is far from inconceivable that the pair could strike a winning partnership once more although luck in running may be required from stall 12. In an open handicap plenty can be given some sort of chance and best of the rest might be Stoic Leader who looks nicely treated on the pick of his form but may just be going through the motions and present and so we'll return to fellow old boy Libre to take this.
Pianoforte (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led 3f out until over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 7th of 11, 14l behind Ten Pole Tudor (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol.
Mighty Mover (IRE) 3-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Castle Myth (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Climate (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, never nearer, 8th of 12, 9l behind Thunderstruck (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Da Bomber (IRE) 18-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 9, 29l behind Intersky Charm (8-11) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Plenilune (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio until weakened 3f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Ibrox (9-8) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 11, 7l behind Lady Calido (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, lost place 3f out, soon ridden, weakened and eased over 1f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Cool Baranca (8-13) at Ayr 1m 1f clm stks 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Marjury Daw (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) In touch, ridden and lost place over 4f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Holyfield Warrior (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
Royal Society 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, lost place 3f out, soon ridden, weakened and eased over 1f out, last of 12, well behind Cool Baranca (8-13) at Ayr 1m 1f clm stks 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Sairaam (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Behind, headway on inner over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind My Sweet Georgia (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Libre 33-1 (8-11) Held up, towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Bidable (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Kielty's Folly 10-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, soon headed and weakened, 9th of 11, 9l behind Tanforan (9-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Hi Spec (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, chasing leaders 2f out, edged right over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Inquisitress (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
