tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, edged left and led over 1f out, driven and headed well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to chase leading pair 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
soon pushed along and outpaced in rear
in touch, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden 4f out, not trouble leaders
led at strong pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
soon pushed along and outpaced in rear
Apricot Sky has had a busy summer but, though only winning once at Ripon in June, has finished a close second on four occasions. Ballesteros hasn't won for over a year but has been running well enough in similar company and has dropped to a mark he's capable of scoring from. Scott Dixon has done brilliantly to win so many races with Coiste Bodhar, who rarely ventures outside of the lowest grade handicaps but has still managed to win 10 races in his career. However, he's up 7lb for his victory at Nottingham and this is tougher. Vincentti might just be a couple of pounds high after winning twice at this level during the summer so BELLA'S VENTURE looks the one to be on. John Gallagher's filly showed a bit of pace in two starts at Doncaster in the spring and reappeared earlier this month with a promising run at Windsor. She makes her handicap debut on a very lowly mark and can start making up for lost time.
Apricot Sky 9-2jfav (9-3) Prominent, under pressure halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 10, 2l behind New Road Side (8-12) at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Ballesteros 9-1 (9-1) In touch, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Cosmic Chatter (9-3) at Pontefract 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Vincentti (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Off the pace, in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten, 5th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Menai (9-3) at Windsor 6f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Jubilee Brig 33-1 (9-5) Dwelt, behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Plucky Dip (9-5) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Mehdi (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up centre, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 16, 9 1/2l behind Brando (9-0) at Haydock 6f hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Silhuette (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Led, headed 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 18th of 19, 27 1/2l behind Bertiewhittle (9-9) at York 7f hcp stks (4) gd in Oct.
Coiste Bodhar (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Made all, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 5f hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Taffetta (9-6) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Rose Eclair 14-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, held up, in mid-division, headway and switched right over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Shypen (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp fll (5) pol in Oct.
Bella's Venture 5-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, on outside, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner well inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Santorini (9-5) at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Oct.
