chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, one pace in 4th between last 2
towards rear, ridden before 2 out, modest 5th approaching last, never involved
held up in 5th, pushed along after 3 out, headway on outside after 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, strong challenge in closing stages, just held
held up in 6th, headway before 2 out, 2nd and every chance 2 out, soon hung right, no impression when lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd and one pace run-in
took keen hold, held up in last pair, struggling after 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before next
led, hit 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened rapidly
chased leading pair, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, behind after 3rd, struggling in rear 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, went left 3rd, hit 5th, pushed along to lead before 2 out, headed when mistake and weakened 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway on outside tracking leaders approaching next, pushed along to lead 2 out, clear between last 2, hard ridden run-in, just held on
A couple of these make quick reappearances under penalties having won during the week. Ding Ding won at Plumpton and Tullow Tonic scored at Leicester on Thursday but both are upped in class for this. Graceful Legend went close again over 2m back in novice company last time having won a handicap over a longer trip at Towcester before that and Bonnet's Vino made a winning reappearance at Market Rasen when beating a previous winner. But another chance goes to Vic Dartnall’s MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE, second in a tougher handicap at Ascot a fortnight ago having landed a double at Newton Abbot in October. Uttoxeter winner Oskar's Eva was narrowly beaten at Plumpton last time but has been raised a further 6lb for her trouble.
Graceful Legend 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders on outside, challenged 2 out, soon ridden and edged right, every chance flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Poppy Kay (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Kentford Heiress 16-1 (11-3) Tracked (clear) winner until 3 out, soon weakened, behind and struggling under pressure before 2 out, 4th between last two, went poor 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, dist behind On Demand (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Midnight Sapphire 11-2 (10-10) Took keen hold, held up in rear but never far away until pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on into 3rd at the last, went 2nd final strides, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Lifeboat Mona (11-9) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bonnet's Vino 22-1 (11-5) Held up, in rear, headway 5th, chasing leaders and pushed along after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead last, narrowly headed run-in, rallied gamely to lead again post, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Ten Trees (11-2) by shd, 7 ran.
Jelly Monger (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside from 3rd, close 3rd when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Bobble Emerald (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Oskar's Eva (IRE) 10-11fav (12-2) Close up on outside, led 3 out, driven 3 lengths clear before last, ridden when hard pressed closing stages, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Yukon Delta (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Royal Debutante (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Held up in touch in rear, headway after 7th, not fluent 3 out, chased winner before next, tried to challenge flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Miss Spent (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Kentford Myth 9-1 (11-2) In rear, headway 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Archie Rice (10-2) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Ding Ding 7-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd after next, ridden approaching last, upsides last, led run-in, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Shanaway (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tullow Tonic (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Held up, in touch, headway tracking leaders 7th, 2nd going well before 2 out, led next, ridden and stayed on run-in, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Miss Tongabezi (10-8) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
