tracked leaders, led 3f out, held on towards finish
held up mid-division, chasing leaders when hampered and stumbled 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
in rear, headway 7f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
close up until lost place over 5f out, tailed off final 3f
tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, ridden and every chance final furlong until no extra inside last
led until 3f out, soon weakened
held up, weakened 6f out, tailed off final 3f
in touch, challenged over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
with leaders until lost place over 3f out
in touch, weakened over 4f out
Wind Instrument just gets the call here ahead of Old Benny. Wind Instrument had Old Benny just over 12 lengths behind him when winning at Hereford 46 days ago and, with that having looked a decent race, these two look set to play leading parts in this contest. Preference is just for the former, although he has a penalty to carry. There is enough in the pedigrees of Young Smokey and Young Bobby to give them mentions, while the likes of Lord Collingwood, Lowsha Green and Nightmare Bud should be given the once over in the betting. Overall, though, that Hereford form stands out, with Wind Instrument just getting the nod.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 9f out, ridden 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov beating Hot 'n' Holy (11-4) by a hd, 12 ran.
Intersky Emerald (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up, driven and outpaced 4f out, soon ridden and beaten, last of 5, well behind Linda's Theatre (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in Oct.
Lord Collingwood (IRE) Accordion gelding out of an unraced mare.
Lowsha Green Foxhound gelding, half-brother to winning sprinter Quiet Times.
Nightmare Bud (IRE) Midhish gelding out of a moderate maiden.
Old Benny 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, one pace final 3f, 4th of 12, 12l behind Wind Instrument (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Young Bobby Gunner B gelding, half-brother to three winning jumpers.
Incalotte 66-1 (10-5) Always behind, 15th of 17, well behind Belita (10-5) at Warwick 1m 6f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
