always prominent, went 2nd approaching 4th, led 3 out, headed last, no extra towards finish
in touch, went 2nd when jumped left 2 out, led and jumped left last, driven out
held up towards rear, ridden 5th, headway when hampered 2 out, beaten last
mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, headway after 3 out, switched right between last 2, stayed on flat
held up in rear, headway and not much room from 2 out, switched left flat, stayed on, never able to challenge
took keen hold, held up and behind, headway when not much room 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, not trouble winner
raced keenly, led to 2nd, chase leader until approaching 4th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, led 2nd, headed 3 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened
Mexican Pete can get recent losses back against the likes of Bureaucrat, Nawamees and Kickahead in what looks a decent contest. There are plenty in with chances here despite the fact that only nine have been declared, and only a small chance is taken with Mexican Pete. Alan King's charge has already won three times round here in the past, and was fancied to keep his unbeaten record at the track when sent off as favourite last month. However, lack of a recent run probably contributed to his defeat as he could only finish fourth, with Nawamees ahead. He is slightly better off with that rival now, and although quite high in the handicap these days, is taken to turn the tables and score. Bureaucrat seems to have been around for ages, but is still only a five-year-old, and if Philip Hobbs can get his mind right, there should be more success around the corner. He was reluctant to line up at Stratford last time, but then ran well, only to be caught on the line, and he should go well again. Kickahead stayed on well behind Elaala at Wetherby last time and is another that can be in the shake-up along with Cottingham, whose only poor recent effort came at Cheltenham last time. The market should be watched for the remainder, but for the winner we return to Mexican Pete.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 16, 14l behind Kanad (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Bureaucrat 17-2 (11-12) Reluctant to line up, led after 1st, driven along approaching 2 out, caught post, 2nd of 9, hd behind Cantabilly (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Mexican Pete 11-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, closer to leaders 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat but never quite able to challenge, 4th of 9, 1l behind Kanad (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Nawamees (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led to 3rd, led again approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, not quicken flat, finished 2nd, demoted to 3rd, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Kanad (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct. Later dsq to 3rd.
Cottingham (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened approaching last, 13th of 17, 12l behind Mill House Girl (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Kickahead (USA) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Elaala (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Mr Shambles 16-1 (10-8) Led, hit 3 out, headed before next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Scutch Mill (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Sahara Prince (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) In touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden when challenged 2 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Oct beating Seattle Robber (10-7) by 3l, 15 ran.
Is It Me (USA) 16-1 (10-4) Led, clear until pushed along 5th, soon headed, hit 6th, weakened approaching next, last of 4, well behind Katchit (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
