held up in rear, headway before 2 out, challenged on bit to lead last, cheekily
led, blundered 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader and keen, challenged before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on and well held towards finish
in touch, pushed along before 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, headway before last, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, blundered 2 out, weakened before last
The lightly-raced AALIM should have few problems defying his penalty against these. He was an easy winner over course and distance on his second start over timber having been beaten less than two lengths by the useful Handiwork on his debut at Market Rasen. Kolonel Kirkup was beaten 37 lengths by Handiwork at Wetherby while Marlborough House may do better when tackling handicaps. Great Demeanor, Spencers Lad and Pink Mischief also have much to prove.
Aalim 11-8fav (10-7) In touch, smooth headway after 3 out, every chance next, led on bit at last, ran on well, easily, won at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Dark Dune (11-6) by 6l, 9 ran.
Great Demeanor (USA) 150-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Pearl Castle (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 18 ran.
Kolonel Kirkup 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced in 4th after 4 out, no chance with leaders from next, 4th of 8, 37l behind Handiwork (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Marlborough House 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, 31l behind Rutherglen (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Spencers Lad 40-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, chased leaders briefly 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 26l behind Certification (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft.
Pink Mischief 100-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, outpaced 5th, mistake next, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 32l behind Cloudante (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
