in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
slowly away, in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, hung right and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, switched outside over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
slowly away, in rear, not troubled leaders
led, ridden and headed 2f out, short of room soon after, weakened final furlong
CHRISTMAS COMING can gain an overdue success over Major Pop and Sparkling Smile. David Elsworth's charge has made an unfortunate habit of finishing close up but he will not be short of match practice and can finally get his head infront this afternoon. Major Pop makes his handicap debut. Richard Fahey's record at present means that he cannot be ruled out even though the form on the track has not been that great. David Lanigan is a trainer to watch on his forays up North so Sparkling Smile is respected. This represents a substantial drop in grade on handicap introduction. Monkton Vale was not alone in finding Bullwhip much too good at Doncaster. Interakt was supported first time out this term though looks exposed. Christmas Coming is the call.
Christmas Coming 13-8 (9-3) Keen close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Atlantic Tiger (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Monkton Vale (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 16, 16l behind Bullwhip (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Interakt 8-1 (9-3) In rear, headway on inside over 4f out, hung right 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 20l behind Lord Raglan (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Sparkling Smile (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon struggling, 9th of 12, 8l behind Timepiece (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Oct.
Major Pop (USA) 22-1 (8-7) Led, pushed along 9f out, reminders 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon hung left, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 10l behind Goodlukin Lucy (8-0) at Musselburgh 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs.
Storm Command (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, well beaten final 2f, 9th of 11, 19l behind Bateau Bleu (8-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
