chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on never nearer
led after 1f, soon clear, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway when not clear run approaching 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up well in rear, never a factor
held up in rear, good headway on outer to chase leader 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden halfway weakened 3f out
raced wide, held up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
broke smartly, led 1f, chased clear leader after, led again 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
Countrywide Jaime needs closely monitoring in the betting but without market clues we select JOIN UP over Michael Wigham's horse and Djalalabad. The selection ran well behind a gambled on winner last time when a slipping saddle wouldn't have helped and so the gelding is given a chance to go one better off the same mark today. The fact that the three-year-old is yet to win a race from 19 attempts is a concern but the trip should be about right and perhaps it'll be twentieth time lucky here. Countrywide Jaime represents the shrewd Michael Wigham and steps up to a mile here having gained a handicap rating from three runs over the minimum trip. On breeding this distance should be much more to the filly's liking and with Toby Atkinson one of the better jockey's riding here it would be no surprise to see this one step up markedly on form shown so far. Woodland Violet is another handicap debutant but unlike the Wigham filly this one has been running at the distance without showing much but whilst this lowly mark of 45 offers room for manoeuvre her profile isn't a compelling one, so Djalalabad is rated next best. The five-year-old has won twice on the all-weather including off this mark and should run a solid enough race. Of the others Turkish Sultan would have a chance but he's arguably better over further and so for the winner we return to Join Up.
Foxtrot Bravo (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 7l behind Appalachian Trail (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Always The Sun 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2l behind Dynamo Dave (8-3) at Lingfield 7f Apprentice Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) pol in Nov.
Green Onions 40-1 (8-12) Disputed lead over 1f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 18l behind Diamond Blade (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Shake On It 10-1 (8-7) Always behind, last of 11, 10l behind Istiqdaam (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Djalalabad (FR) 14-1 (8-11) Took keen hold in rear, plenty to do and still travelling well 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, went 3rd just inside final furlong, no impression towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Holyfield Warrior (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Join Up 8-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, kept on from over 1f out, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Topcroft (8-10) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Countrywide Jaime (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden and weakened halfway, last of 6, 14l behind Theatre Street (8-12) at Lingfield 5f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Superior Duchess 33-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 12, 32l behind Buckie Boy (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up, headway on inner over 1f out, no extra entering final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Bidable (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Baba Ghanoush 16-1 (8-0) Behind, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 8th of 14, 19l behind Sovereignty (8-4) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Louisiade (IRE) 16-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, weakened approaching final 1f, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Boundless Applause (8-4) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Woodland Violet 50-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, soon struggling, never a factor, 5th of 8, 17l behind Penzena (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
