raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
soon led, headed narrowly halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led narrowly halfway, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on
took keen hold tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden and short of room approaching final furlong, soon weakened
in rear, never on terms
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
held up, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home
held up, ridden and outpaced 2f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish
in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on
Vixen was successful at Salisbury in October and is only 2lb higher but several of these have been threatening to get their heads in front. Viola Park was runner-up at Chelmsford last week and Violet's Lads finished a close-up third at Lingfield. But Happy Escape and DESERT FOX (NAP) are less exposed and both were narrowly beaten on their latest starts. The former hasn’t raced since June but the latter gave the impression today’s extra distance would suit when just missing out over 6f at Wolverhampton and Mike Murphy’s charge gets the nod to open his account.
Wild Acclaim (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In touch, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Fredricka (9-7) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Desert Fox 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind A Sure Welcome (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Happy Escape 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd and stayed on inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Dragon Dream (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Violet's Lads (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Soon led, pressed from 2f out, kept slight lead until headed and no extra in 3rd final strides, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Garth Rockett (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Dragon Dream (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 1f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Wahaab (10-3) at Leicester 7f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Vixen (IRE) 9-4fav (9-2) Close up, pushed along and lost place 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead final strides, won at Salisbury 7f hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Topmeup (9-4) by nk, 10 ran.
Masquerade Bling (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 3f out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 9l behind Belgravian (10-11) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Viola Park 6-1 (8-13) Prominent, rousted along soon after start, lost a few places 4f out, effort over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, held by winner towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Captain Pugwash (9-4) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Kachess 33-1 (9-1) Prominent until ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Insurplus (9-5) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Brother In Arms (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Garth Rockett (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Mr Mac 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 22 3/4l behind Anna Medici (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
