outpaced in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up in touch, led over 1f out, soon headed, faded final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, hard driven, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, stayed on well, never reached winner
tracked leader, effort 2f out, soon hung left, not run on
behind, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
led, driven and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out
A bit of guesswork involved here as none arrive in particularly good form. Lujeanie was still beaten a couple of lengths at Kempton a fortnight ago despite finishing third with previous Salisbury winner Aristeia back in sixth. Billy Red was beaten the same distance when fourth over 5f here last time and Judd Street may be on the downgrade now as he began this season on a 17lb higher mark and isn't getting much closer. However, SIR GEOFFREY hit form at this time last year once back on the all-weather and a better effort when third at Wolverhampton last month suggests Dandy Nicholls' charge is poised to strike. Shifting Star could prove best of the rest.
Quasi Congaree (GER) 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division when went badly right and became unrideable over 4f out, virtually pulled, last of 11, well behind Amitola (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, led over 2f out until 2f out, chased leader until inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Elna Bright (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Judd Street 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led narrowly inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 4l behind Seek The Fair Land (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Close To The Edge (IRE) 22-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 9l behind Dimension (9-4) at Ascot 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep.
Lujeanie 14-1 (9-3) Dwelt in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Googlette (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Admirable Spirit 8-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, reminder 4f out, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 6l behind La Fortunata (8-7) at Newmarket 6f fll hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Billy Red 12-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 2l behind Sugar Beet (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Aristeia 14-1 (9-0) Hampered and slow into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Googlette (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Cadeaux Pearl 9-1 (9-4) Outpaced after 1f, last of 12, 22l behind Crimson Cloud (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Nov.
Smoky Cloud (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division on outside, outpaced over 2f out, soon behind, last of 12, 18l behind Seek The Fair Land (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Shifting Star (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, unable to reach leaders, 6th of 10, 1l behind Requisite (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Hotham 12-1 (9-6) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden halfway, not trouble leaders, 9th of 12, 9l behind Crimson Cloud (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Nov.
