in touch, pushed along and struggling from 3rd, soon well behind, headway from 9th, hard ridden approaching next, ran on to lead towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along 1st, lost place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
held up towards rear, unseated rider 4th
in touch, led 6th, headed 9th, soon weakened
always behind, weakened approaching 7th, pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 8th
with leader, pushed along 3rd, weakened approaching 7th, pulled up after next
always towars rear, weakened from 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
held up, headway 8th, chasing leaders when hit and unseated rider 9th
led to 6th, led again 9th, hard ridden approaching 2 out, no extra when headed towards finish
held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, mistake 5th, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd at 9th, ridden approaching 2 out,s stayed on from last
held up towards rear, headway 8th, ridden next, weakened approaching last
Alice's Old Rose, Caesar's Palace and Generals Laststand form the shortlist for the finale and the vote is given to Caesar's Palace. The selection is a quirky type but if he puts his best foot forward today then he looks to have a leading chance in what looks a weak race. His run behind Drumbeater at Haydock reads particularly well in the context of this race and a reproduction of that effort would make him hard to beat. Alice's Old Rose was a good second behind Basilea Star when last seen out but that was over a year ago and the chances are that she will need this run today before she is seen at her best. Generals Laststand was a little disappointing last time at Kelso but will be suited by this step-up in trip, while Silver Seeker ran okay last time and is another with place prospects. However, for the winner we will stick with Caesar's Palace.
Caesar's Palace (GER) 10-1 (10-3) Led to 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 6th, tailed off from 9th, 6th of 12, 42l behind Jethro Tull (9-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Nov.
You're The Man (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) With leaders until lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Longstone Lass (10-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Alice's Old Rose 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Basilea Star (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Dec '04.
Sir Lamb 150-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 12, 35l behind Compo (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hdl 0-90 (F) hvy in Dec.
Silver Seeker (USA) 25-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 23, 13l behind Topanberry (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Hapthor 33-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never nearer, 5th of 13, 16l behind Piraeus (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Dec.
Moon Mist 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 7, 43l behind Ornella Speed (9-8) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs hcp chs (E) gs in Nov.
Generals Laststand (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 4th of 13, 13l behind Piraeus (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Dec.
