mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace
tracked leaders, blundered 7th, mistake next, son tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from 2 out
towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon headway, went 3rd from last, no impression
in rear, pushed along 5th, never a factor
tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, reminders next, son behind, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, effort 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led, ridden before 2 out, headed last, kept on and no chance with winner
Trust Thomas is a reliable benchmark but has his work cut out with the concession of weight all round and CARALINE is preferred. The 5-y-o mare rattled up an impressive sequence last term and didn't shape too badly on her return from injury when fourth behind Groomed in a decent handicap at Newcastle this month. She received no market support that day and it would strengthen confidence should some money come her way now after that return to action. Gold Opera returned to form last time with a game success at Ayr in a first-time visor and has definite claims on that performance off a now 5lb higher mark. Indeed, he rates the main threat to the selection. Most of the remainder have some sort of claim in an open handicap with Turtle Watch taken for the shortlist as he came to grief at Newcastle recently when seemingly still travelling sweetly for a yard that is ticking along nicely enough this term. Rosquero has place claims.
Trust Thomas 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, edged left before 2 out, no extra last, hanging left flat, 5th of 8, 14l behind Aye Well (10-9) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Gold Opera (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 5 out, pressed last, kept on and held on near finish, won at Ayr 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Spanish Fleet (11-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Caraline (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up, tracking leaders, pushed along when switched left approaching 4 out, soon 4th, no impression before next, 4th of 7, 18 1/4l behind Groomed (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Turtle Watch 7-1 (11-5) In touch in 4th, fell 5 out, at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Treat Yourself (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Towards rear, lost place before 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Gold Opera (11-7) at Ayr 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sudski Star (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, never dangerous, 3rd of 14, 13l behind One For Hocky (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Endeavor 16-1 (10-13) In rear, headway before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, last of 7, 30 3/4l behind Royal Macnab (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Rosquero (FR) 15-2 (10-6) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led narrowly 3 out, not fluent last, headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Groomed (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Las Tunas (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 5 out, pushed along and weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Welcome Ben (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Behind, hampered 1st, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
