took keen hold, tracked leaders, lost place 3f out, soon in rear, eased final 2f, held off
behind, ridden over 2f out, no real headway, never nearer
with leader, led over 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, headed final 75 yards
behind, ridden and outpaced 4f out, never dangerous final 2f
in touch, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 75 yards
steadied start, held up, good headway over 1f out, finished well, nearest finish
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace from over 1f out
steadied start, took keen hold towards rear, good headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, lost place 3f out, never dangerous final 2f
mid-division, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
led narrowly, headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong
Arguably this is even worse than the first division, which takes some doing, but with only Simpsons Gamble showing much worthwhile recent form he gets the nod, with Frank's Quest and Batchworth Blaise others considered. The selection showed better form than most here when runner up in a poor maiden here last time. However, he still has not lost that tag in 16 attempts and his previous handicapping runs have proved fruitless, though he has gone well enough in some races to suggest he can finally take one. Frank's Quest has not won for a long time but he does throw in the odd good run in between some very ordinary ones and after a couple of poor efforts it would be no surprise to see him go close in this terrible contest. Batchworth Blaise was too bad to be true last time but his level of form prior to that entitles him to a squeak. Ma Ridge unseated when leading last time and could make them all go, but this is desperate stuff and we will put up Simpsons Gamble as the most tentative of selections.
Ma Ridge 33-1 (9-0) Led, strongly pressed when crashed through inside rail over 2f out and unseated rider in race won by Razzano (8-3) at Brighton 7f mdn hcp (6) frm in Aug, 13 ran.
Bear Bottom 40-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 25l behind Mutanaseb (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in May.
Simpsons Gamble (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, carried left over 1f out, chased leaders and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, nk behind Jessica Wigmo (8-11) at Kempton 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol in Nov.
Lady Firecracker (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 15l behind Cheery Cat (9-2) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
My Jeanie (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Behind, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 8l behind Tilapia (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Jomus 10-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, rapid headway to lead over 4f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 9th of 13, 8l behind Under Fire (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Batchworth Blaise 11-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 8l behind Joy And Pain (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Coastal Breeze 25-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, last of 10, 7l behind Park Valley Prince (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Edward (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 14l behind Bond Becks (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Bollywood (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, plugged on final furlong, no chance, 7th of 10, 6l behind Royal Envoy (9-2) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Frank's Quest (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Raced wide and always behind, 12th of 13, 14l behind Under Fire (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Rhuby River (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Always behind, 12th of 13, 27l behind Tuscan Treaty (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (36-40) (7) pol in Nov '05.
My Spring Rose 16-1 (8-4) Close up to halfway, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 10th of 12, 38l behind Mixing (8-12) at Brighton 1m 4f app hcp (6) gd in Oct.
