in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, hard ridden flat, held on
in touch, ridden, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway to lead 4th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, kept on after
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression
prominent, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, pecked 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
chased leader, ridden, outpaced 3 out, kept on from 2 out
held up, pulled hard, ridden, weakened 6th, tailed off when fell last
mid-division, lost touch 5th, behind from 6th
led to 4th, chased leaders until ridden after 6th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden, lost place 5th, tailed off
in touch, ridden, chased leaders after 3 out, took closer order approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
soon ridden, struggling after 4th, tailed off
towards rear, ridden after 6th, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
The quartet against the field here look to be Mexican Bob, Colisay, Australia Day and Fifty Sheets, and the vote goes to Fifty Sheets. Charlie Egerton's gelding looks a decent recruit to the game with a winning French flat and jumping pedigree. His sire and dam handled any ground between them and with Tony McCoy booked it would appear that connections are confident of a good debut. Australia Day was runner up over c&d last month when he travelled well but then didn't find too much, and he may have to settle for the frame again here. Mexican Bob has been in good form and has plenty of experience now. He has a stiff task, however, trying to defy a double penalty and although he will run his race he looks vulnerable. Uttoxeter scorer Colisay is another trying to defy a penalty and handles a sound surface, so if he can improve on that success he should go very close, but we will take a chance on debutante Fifty Sheets.
Mexican Bob 13-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 7, 29l behind Lightning Strike (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Colisay 10-3 (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent last, led flat, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Stravara (10-12) by 4l, 13 ran.
Australia Day (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Pulled hard in rear, good headway 6th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Garrulous (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Barons Spy (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) In touch, pushed along halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 14, 6l behind Purus (9-4) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Nov (Flat).
Blackthorn Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division when pulled up 4 out in race won by County Zen (11-0) at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Fifty Sheets (FR) Spadoun gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Grand Sefton 66-1 (10-12) Pulled early, towards rear, weakened 5th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Warsaw Pact (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct, 9 ran.
Hilal 40-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, hit 7th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 37l behind Cryptic (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
New Rackheath (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 42l behind Seven Is My Number (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Nov.
Ryedale Ovation (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, 4th of 10, 10l behind The Tother One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sheikh McMurray 50-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 16l behind Hell's Bay (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Sun Bian 100-1 (10-9) In rear, mistake 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Colisay (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Lourdes (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) In rear, mistakes 3rd and 6th, struggling soon after, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Hidden Weapon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
