took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden on outside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and joined 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, challenged 2f out, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd near finish
soon close up, headway on outside 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on gamely
took keen hold, chased leaders, effort on inside well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to 2nd near finish
started slowly, behind, driven 3f out, one pace final 2f
in touch, lost place 3f out
Nonrunner
After beating home a couple of subsequent winners when scoring last time VERY WELL RED gets call in a tight handicap ahead of Chief Red Cloud and Harriet's Girl. Granted the selection only just held on for that victory on his last start but he displayed a very likeable attitude. He'll have to show more off this revised mark but he should handle this ground so has a good chance over his optimum trip. Chief Red Cloud is from a yard in form and was a winner of his penultimate start. He was fancied to follow up and although he failed in that quest he still ran a decent race and looks a leading player here. Harriet's Girl is a stable mate of the one we've just mentioned and made a nice seasonal return after over 200 days away from racing. She should come on from that and is competitive at the weights. North Cape's best has come over further but he looks to have a chance off this rating but Very Well Red will battle if in with a chance.
Negotiation (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Led, driven and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Day Of The Eagle (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Very Well Red 8-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed near finish, held on gamely, all out, won at Bath 1m fll hcp (0-75) (5) gd beating My Best Bet (9-4) by shd, 11 ran.
North Cape (USA) 6-1 (9-4) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Bourne (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Harriet's Girl 10-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Sir George (8-11) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Chief Red Cloud (USA) 10-3fav (9-3) Raced wide, held up, headway 3f out, pressed leader 2f out, soon every chance, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Headache (8-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Betteras Bertie 50-1 (8-3) Slowly away, in rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 13l behind Ultimate (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Bold Diktator 33-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, last of 13, 43l behind Alqaahir (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Richo 28-1 (8-10) Towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 16, 12l behind Amethyst Dawn (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Nov.
