close up, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
chased leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed and kept on inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and no impression final 2f
led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong
Just a small field for this claimer, but not the worst race ever seen, and the vote is given to Bussel ahead of Bridget's Team and Cherri Fosfate. It is slightly puzzling to see the selection in a claimer, albeit a fairly valuable one, after his authoritative victory last time out at Kempton. However he should be good enough to take this race today. His stable is in very good form and he looks the one to beat. Bridget's Team is a course and distance winner so must be respected, however she looks average and failed to win a seller last time out so cannot be truly fancied. Cherri Fosfate ran well last time out at Southwell but that was a poor contest and he is thoroughly exposed. All in all, this looks easy pickings for Bussel.
Bussel (USA) 4-6fav (9-0) Chased leader, led over 2f out, clear and unchallenged over 1f out, driven out, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov beating Isobel Rose (9-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Cherri Fosfate 9-2 (8-11) Close up, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, hd behind Lovers Kiss (8-2) at Southwell 6f 2yo clm (6) fbs in Nov.
Catlivius (IRE) 3-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon switched left and ridden, headway approaching final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Zadalla (8-6) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs.
Bridget's Team 6-5fav (9-1) Disputed lead, headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Emefdream (9-0) at Southwell 6f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Ardennes (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Keen, effort to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 11l behind Buckie Massa (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol.
Strathaird (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Outpaced, some late progress, 4th of 7, 12l behind Eau Good (8-9) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol.
