held up in touch in 6th, headway on outside over 1f out, never threatened
steadied start, held up in last pair, never on terms
chased leaders, went 2nd on inside well over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, strong challenge closing stages, always just held
made all, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed closing stages, always just doing enough
chased leaders, headway 5f out, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd well over 1f out, soon hung left, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on leading duo
held up in last pair, never a factor
chased winner until over 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, tailed off
Waiting for victories for Strikemaster are like standing in a bus queue. He didn't see one for a couple of years and then two came along at once. His latest win in an amateur race at Musselburgh last month is not strong form, however, and PHONIC is fancied to prove too good. The latter may have been beaten five lengths on his first attempt at today's trip at Kempton last time, but that was a much better race than this and John Dunlop's charge is fancied to finally get off the mark. Suzi's A Class Act finished closer over a shorter trip here in September and may figure, but Hit The Switch has done all his all-weather winning on the Fibresand at Southwell.
Dr Finley (IRE) 17-2 (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over
Dart 25-1 (8-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and struggling on outside over 2f out, 8th of 10, 16l behind Accumulate (8-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden 5f out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 36l behind Marsh Warbler (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct.
Hit The Switch 8-1 (9-3) Led, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and headed, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 11l behind Waahej (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Phonic (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 5th of 13, 5l behind Spice Fair (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Suzi's A Class Act 40-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, went 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, lost 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Fire Fighter (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Strikemaster (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven clear, won at Musselburgh 2m am hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct beating La Bacouetteuse (10-13) by 5l, 10 ran.
Elegant Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (8-2) Always towards rear, never afactor, 10th of 15, 10l behind Prince Of Passion (9-3) at Leicester 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
