in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, smooth headway on outside 3f out, led approaching 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on and in command towards finish
dwelt, held up in mid-division, on inside, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance when hung left from over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
mid-division, ridden and lost place approaching halfway, soon struggling in rear
behind, hard ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
prominent until weakened 3f out
ridden to lead after 1f, headed well over 2f out, beaten when hung badly left over 1f out
chased leaders, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace of front pair
prominent, led well over 2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride and always behind
led 1f, chased leader until ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
A trappy enough contest to round of the card but we'll stick with the in-form TOPCROFT ahead of Spinning Ridge and the rejuvenated General Tufto. Derek Shaw's gelding landed a real touch at the start of December when scoring at Kempton and followed that up in fine style next time over a shorter trip. Today's new and entirely different surface asks a new question of the three-year-old but it seems foolish to desert an animal that has scored so decisively of late so we'll take the chance ¿ if he acts here he could win comfortably. Spinning Ridge has been in fine fettle of late but it has to be a real concern that he was beaten some 44 lengths on his only try here although surely connections are hopeful that their horse can put that effort behind him and the gelding undoubtedly arrives in better form this time so he's respected, as is General Tufto who in contrast loves it at Southwell and won stylishly last time. That performance was over course and distance with today's jockey in the saddle and a 6lb penalty might not be enough to prevent a follow-up, particularly as the horse has won off higher marks in the past. It would be something of a surprise if one of the mentioned trio don't land this but should they all fail to run up to expectations then Almahaza is rated next best. David Probert takes the ride aboard this course winner who was only beaten a length last time and remains feasibly handicapped and so we can expect a good run from this one, as we can from Bajan Pride for whom conditions should be ideal. Dado Mush needs a market check as a horse who has won off much higher marks here but for now looks worth opposing so we¿ll return to the bang in-form Topcroft to land the last.
General Tufto 13-8fav (8-13) Held up in touch, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung left, ran on well, won at Southwell 1m hcp (0-65) (6) fbs beating Wing Diva (8-13) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Spinning Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Kipchak (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Topcroft Evensfav (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed to lead inside final furlong, soon clear readily, won at Kempton 6f app hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Place The Duchess (8-8) by 5l, 11 ran.
Almahaza (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Held up, wide and smooth headway from 3 out, led 2f out, ridden and hung left 1f out, weakened and headed inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3/4l behind Prince Golan (10-6) at Southwell 1m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) fbs in Nov.
Dado Mush 28-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, outpaced from 4f out, never dangerous, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Shadows Lengthen (10-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs.
Bajan Pride 16-1 (8-10) Held up, went second over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Just Jimmy (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Very Well Red 10-1 (8-8) Unseated rider leaving stalls, in a race won by Wunder Strike (8-11) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-62 (6) pol, 10 ran.
Jul's Lad (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 16l behind Just Jimmy (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Special Cuvee 5-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Hard Ball (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Plenilune (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) In touch, pushed along 4f out, short of room over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Lunar Limelight (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Parkview Love (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Held up, pushed along 3f out, hampered when going for a gap on inside entering final 2f, kept on, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 5l behind Batchworth Blaise (8-6) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Komreyev Star 33-1 (8-5) Led until over 6f out, remained prominent, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind General Tufto (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp (0-65) (6) fbs.
Michael Laskey 14-1 (8-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon hung badly right and soon weakened, 7th of 10, 11l behind Kames Park (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Tyrana (GER) 8-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 10l behind Signora Frasi (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Oct.
