chased leaders on outer, driven 2f out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, pushed along halfway, never going pace to be competitive
with leader to inside final 2f, soon weakened
behind until late headway final furlong
held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, soon eased left, headway, squeezed through narrow gap when struck by rival whip on head, led over 1f out, held on gamely, all out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right to rails, driven, strong challenge final furlong, just failed
slight lead to inside final 2f, soon weakened
raced in mid-division until pulled up and dismouted approaching final furlong (lame)
chased leaders, ridden halfway, losing place when hampered on rails over 2f out
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, driven, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
outpaced in rear, headway on outside 2f out, driven, stayed on one pace final furlong
soon outpaced
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Another tricky handicap can go the way of Louphole over the likes of Chinalea, River Kirov, Lucayos and Figaro Flyer. Louphole was a beaten favourite at Lingfield 10-days ago when failing to get competitive from his wide draw, finishing nearer last than first. Prior to that he had rattled up a double on the all-weather, and returns to Turf with high hopes of starting where he left off, as before beginning his all-weather campaign, Peter Makin's charge was successful at Leicester. He is a bit higher in the weights now, but should make a bold bid. Chinalea has been hard to win with, his sole success coming on soft ground at Sandown two years ago. However, he has run any number of decent races in defeat, and with astute tactician Philip Robinson in the plate, is expected to make his presence felt. River Kirov was a dual winner last year and made a pleasing reappearance when fourth at Folkestone 17-days ago, so is another for the short-list along with the consistent Lucayos, although he has topweight to overcome. Figaro Flyer has the form to figure, but has his fair share of weight as well, with preference for Louphole.
Lucayos 6-1 (8-9) Pressed leader, led halfway, headed entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Forest Dane (8-7) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Figaro Flyer (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Prominent, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, took 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Orpsie Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Peter Island (FR) 25-1 (9-4) Led narrowly, ridden and headed just over 1f out, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 12, 3l behind Orpsie Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Fast Bowler 7-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Orpsie Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Roman Maze 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Malcheek (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
River Kirov (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, every chance entering final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Forest Dane (8-7) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Blue Aura (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) In touch, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 7l behind Hoh Hoh Hoh (8-13) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sept.
Louphole 3-1fav (9-0) Steadied start, took keen hold in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 4l behind Orpsie Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Xaluna Bay (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Raced wide, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 6l behind Ashes (9-3) at W'hampton 5f fll hcp (5) pol.
Chinalea (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Started slowly, soon in touch, on outside, ridden 2f out, hung right and one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Spanish Ace (9-8) at Warwick 5f hcap (5) gf.
Makabul 12-1 (8-10) Slowly away, always in rear, 10th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Efistorm (9-0) at Windsor 5f hcap (4) gf.
Linda Green 16-1 (9-0) Behind, running on when not clear run inside final furlong, not recover, 9th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Saviours Spirit (9-1) at Windsor 6f hcap (5) gf.
Dune Melody (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Keen hold in touch, raced alone on standside over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 15l behind Royal Fantasy (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m fll hcp (4) gf.
Methaaly (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Desert Opal (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcap (5) gf.
Crimson Silk 28-1 (9-0) Pushed along towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace, no impression, 9th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Kay Two (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Night Prospector 10-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 5l behind Aegean Dancer (8-13) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.