chased leaders far side, led far side group final furlong, no chance with stands side leaders
mid-division, stands side group, one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders stands side group, weakened final furlong
held up behind stands side group, never dangerous
held up towards rear stands side group, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on
held up stands side group, headway well over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on
in touch stands side group, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, caught post
tracked leader far side group, one pace from over 1f out
held up in touch far side group and raced wide, weakened over 1f out
held up stands side group, effort halfway, no impression from over 1f out
led stands side group and overall leader, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead again post
led far side group, headed entering final furlong by far side group, one pace
tracked leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader stands side group to halfway
chased leader stands side group, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
This is the most competitive race on the card where plenty are in with chances but despite a good looking win from Pickering last time we'll side with PAVERSHOOZ but you couldn't rule out Vhujon either. Having not missed out far off a mark two pounds heavier in a very warm race last time the pick, who is a dual winner at this trip, will have with no problems with the ground and was competitive enough in a better race than this last summer over distance so he should go well. Pickering comes here racing with a six pounds penalty on his back after easily scoring in a similar contest on quick ground last time. he has more to beat this time but despite the extra weight he still looks good on these terms. Vhujon has been solid off this mark in his last two starts and did win off a rating two pounds heavier in the Autumn. He's not quite shown that level of form since but at his best is a leading contender. Kiwi Bay's best has come over seven furlongs but he'll relish the ground conditions while Calmdownmate would probably like things softer but is at least in good heart. We could be here all day making a case for the others but Pavershoolz looks marginally the best.
Ponty Rossa (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Pulled hard in rear, headway well over 2f out, soon hung left, weakened, 20th of 21, 23l behind Invincible Force (8-7) at Doncaster 7f hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Methaaly (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Close up stands side, group, led stands side group over 2f out, soon ridden, headed by stands side group over 1f out, no extra, 14th of 20, 17l behind Mister Hardy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Gift Horse 9-4fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Brazilian Brush (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 5-4fav (9-4) Dwelt, reminders soon after start, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 6, 1l behind Xpres Maite (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcap (3) fbs in Feb.
Vhujon (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Taken to post early, held up in touch, improved and switched right from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Rash Judgement (9-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Kiwi Bay 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden along over 2f, headway over 1f, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 21, 1 3/4l behind Misphire (8-12) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Earlsmedic 12-1 (8-10) In rear, kept on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders, 7th of 14, 6l behind Wyatt Earp (9-1) at Chester 6f hcap (4) gf in Sep.
Pavershooz 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Quest For Success (8-9) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Dazzling Bay 8-1 (8-5) Always behind, 7th of 9, 11l behind Matsunosuke (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Spirit of France (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Always rear division, 8th of 9, 6l behind Bel Cantor (8-13) at Pontefract 6f hcap (3) gf in Jul.
Leonid Glow 8-1 (9-0) Outpaced, kept on final 2f, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Feeling Fresh (8-2) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
High Curragh 14-1 (8-11) Prominent for 4f, 20th of 21, 15l behind Misphire (8-12) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Pacific Pride 16-1 (8-12) In touch, not much room 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 10l behind Wyatt Earp (9-1) at Chester 6f hcap (4) gf in Sep.
Castles In The Air 16-1 (9-9) Jumped right at start, prominent for 3f, 13th of 14, 11l behind Commander Wish (9-0) at Pontefract 5f hcap (5) gd in Aug.
Calmdownmate (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Prominent, led over 2f out, hung left under pressure from over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 6f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb beating Whitbarrow (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Pickering 12-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Dvinsky (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 17 ran.
