held up behind leading pair, awkward 2nd, rapid headway to press leader 4 out, led 3 out, driven into clear lead after 2 out, wandered approaching last, kept on flat
held up in rear, still last but close up 4 out, chased leader after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last but could not match winner
pressed leader, almost upsides 4 out, ridden and close up after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
led, almost joined 4 out, narrow advantage when mistake 3 out and headed, ridden when not fluent 2 out, weakening when fell last
Ernesto won twice in Germany, including a Listed race, but has shown little since joining Ian Williams. EVERGLOW was runner-up to the subsequent Grade 2 winner Star Gate at Chepstow having been highly tried on his hurdling debut. He should make short work of these if that form can be taken literally. Nickelsonthedime is his likely market rival having placed in all five starts under Rules and is preferred to Newcastle runner-up Fearless Fracas and In The Detail for forecast purposes.
Everglow 13-8fav (11-0) Led, mistake 3rd, slowed up on stable bend before 4th, headed 5th, led 7th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 15, 6 1/2l behind Star Gate (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Fearless Fracas (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed flat, 2nd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Fostered Phil (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
In The Detail (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 7th, niggled along after 3 out, plugged on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 14l behind Golden Gift (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m 1f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Nickelsonthedime (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, led 3 out, headed before last, lost 2nd flat, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 3 3/4l behind Here Comes McCoy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Ernesto (GER) 6-1 (9-7) Held up tracking leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Battle Of Marathon (8-13) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
