held up in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, just failed
chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, switched left to challenge inside final furlong, soon no impression
tracked leaders, every chance well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon strongly challenged, just held on
led, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened quickly, eased final furlong
held up in touch, driven and effort over 1f out, soon lost place
pulled hard in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, some late headway, never nearer
held up in rear, under pressure 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached leaders
The majority of these have been taking each other on over the last month with differing measures of success. The Winged Assasin and Mighty Clarets appear to be in the ascendency with recent victories over C&D under today's apprentices giving them every chance here but MIDNIGHT STRIDER could spoil the party. Tom Dascombe's lightly-raced four-year-old got off the mark over the extended mile here last time and looks sure to appreciate today's longer trip. He gets the vote racing off what looks an exploitable handicap mark.
Strike Force 11-4fav (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in 6th, ridden over 2f out, no chance when hampered on inside rail over 1f out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Mighty Clarets (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
The Winged Assasin (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Nicholas Pocock (8-8) by hd, 7 ran.
Dream of Fortune (IRE) 2-1fav (8-13) Mid-division, smooth headway on inside 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon went 2nd, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ridden and caught post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Edgeworth (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol.
Mighty Clarets (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Soon chased leader, led 7f out, 2 lengths ahead 2f out, joined and strongly pressed inside final furlong, outbattled runner up close home, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Loyalty (9-0) by hd, 7 ran.
Midnight Strider (IRE) 6-5 (9-5) Tracked leaders, effort between horses over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol beating Lady Rossetti (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Kildare Sun (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 7, 10l behind Mighty Clarets (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Astrodonna 12-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, well beaten 1f out, 8th of 10, 13l behind Gallantry (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Lord Theo 9-2fav (9-0) Slowly away, headway to join field 8f out, wide and headway to chase leaders 2f out, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, stayed on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol beating Catbells (8-12) by 3l, 10 ran.
Black Coffee 3-1 (9-0) Held up in rear but in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leader, switched right to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on strongly to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol beating Eastern Gift (9-4) by hd, 5 ran.
Adoyen Spice 15-2 (9-0) Chased leading trio, ridden and unable to quicken over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Lady Lam (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Know No Fear 11-2 (9-0) Keen tracked leader, led 8f out, clear over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 15l behind Lord Theo (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol.
