made most until ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace under pressure from over 1f out
held up behind, driven 4f out, never on terms
with leader, lost place over 7f out, behind final 4f
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 7f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, edged left and headed inside final furlong, kept on, held towards finish
held up behind, headway on outside 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, no impression
keen early, tracked leaders, ridden and headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, driven and outpaced 4f out, stayed on final 2f, never on terms
chased leaders on inside, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, never troubled leaders
Alan Swinbank's ELLA lost no caste in defeat when third in the November Handicap at Doncaster when last seen on similar ground to today and he can go two better off the same mark this afternoon with the main dangers rated as Crackentorp and Becausewecan. Mark Johnston's gelding comes here fit and in form from recent starts on the Polytack and has to be respected back on turf but he seems a shade high in the weights now racing off a mark 10lbs higher than when successful at Newmarket in October and he may struggle to defy that rise in the weights on this ground. Tim Easterby's Bollin Felix ran well at York when last seen in June and lack of a run since then should not be of concern with the yard's runners in good heart at present but he may be a shade high in the weights at the moment, while Ann Duffield's Just Lille would probably prefer faster ground. Tim Easterby is also represented by the lightly raced Crackentorp and he has to be respected, although he has yet to race on ground this testing and a safer option looks to be Ella, who gets the vote.
Becausewecan (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Led, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 8l behind Dansili Dancer (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Crackentorp 6-4fav (9-8) Took keen hold, held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, headway on outside 2f out, challenging from over 1f out, soon every chance until found no extra near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Alcalde (8-9) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Oct.
Just Lille (IRE) 7-4 (8-12) Led, headed before halfway, tracked winner until over 2f out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Urban Poet (8-5) at Pontefract 2m 2f cond Stakes (3) gf in Oct.
Ella 8-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, led over 4f out, clear over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 3rd of 23, 4 1/2l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Rangefinder 33-1 (8-4) In touch, weakened over 1f out, soon eased, 15th of 23, 18l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Trip The Light 5-2fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1l behind Merchant Of Dubai (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Bollin Felix 11-4fav (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, effort when outpaced 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Nemo Spirit (9-8) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jun.
Kimberley Downs (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 15l behind Overturn (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Folk Tune (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Held up, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 11, 38l behind Amanda Carter (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
