held up, mistake 4th, reminders 5th, lost touch from 4 out
led, headed after 6th, kept on one pace
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, keen, reminders and led after 6th, soon clear, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on
held up in touch, weakened 3 out
held up, reminders 4th and again 6th, headway after 4 out to chase winner, pressed winner flat but not reach
Nonrunner
The vote here goes to Irish Blessing ahead of Lismeenan, Crazy Mazie and, possibly, Denarius Secundus. Irish Blessing benefited from a positive ride last time to win a similar event at Chepstow and ,despite having been raised seven pounds for that success, should show up again under Tom Doyle. At The Double has been raised four pounds for a course and distance win, although he may have been lucky to score on that occasion as the Martin Pipe-trained runner-up seemed to throw it away close home. The champion trainer runs Philippa Yeates today, who is very much a reluctant heroine but, to be fair, she wins in her turn. However, much as she meets Madison Avenue on the same terms as when beating that rival by three-and-a-half lengths at Plumpton last time, we prefer others today. Lismeenan's second to Jesper was franked when the winner won from a six-pound higher mark on Monday, so he could go well, and Crazy Mazie has been raised three pounds for a Uttoxeter selling win, and is entitled to respect on the basis of that form. Finally, Christmas Truce probably has to improve to score but Denarius Secundus could be interesting. He is having his first run in this country, but showed enough in non-selling events in Ireland to be granted respect in this low-grade affair. Watch the betting for clues but, without that, we will side with Irish Blessing.
At The Double 5-1 Held up, headway to chase leader approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead after last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs beating Earn Out by 4l, 7 ran.
Madison Avenue (GER) 10-1 Raced keenly, soon with leaders, led 7th, clear with one rival 9th, hit 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression last, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Philippa Yeates at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gd.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 14-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out and weakened, 4th of 10, 15l behind Herne Bay at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (G) sft.
Philippa Yeates (IRE) 7-1 Led to 4th, stayed close up, ridden 9th, headway to chase leader 3 out, led 2 out, weakening flat, just held on, won at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gd beating Brisbane Road by a shd, 10 ran.
Denarius Secundus 12-1 Never better than mid-division, 15th of 26, 47l behind Dun Doire at Navan 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Irish Blessing (USA) 11-2 Held up in touch, left in lead 3 out, clear 2 out, ridden last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd beating Temper Lad by 4l, 17 ran.
Lismeenan (IRE) 14-1 Held up in rear, ridden 4 out, headway 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Jesper at Huntingdon 2m 5f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd.
Crazy Mazie 5-1jt-fav Mid-division, headway 8th, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-100 (G) gs in May beating Knightsbridge King by a nk, 12 ran.
