slowly into stride, soon led, shaken up over 1f out, ran on strongly, in command final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, never near to challenge, kept on one pace, lost 3rd final strides
behind, in touch, good headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong to take 3rd final strides
steadied start, in touch, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out
chased leaders 2f, soon lost place, in rear 2f out
towards rear, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
tracked winner, effort and pressed winner 2f out, kept on, no chance final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
NICKEL SILVER may not be one to trust implicitly under a penalty, however a repeat of his win a week ago could see his followers in clover once again; onto the shortlist go Bertie Southstreet and Ridley Didley. The majority of Bryan Smart's horses are in good form, and following his runners over the past fortnight would have resulted in a healthy profit. This gelding, a light son of Choisir, won cosily at Wolverhampton over this minimum trip when taking advantage of a career-low mark of 60. Given that was his first success it should be treated with some caution, but it could be that a 6lb penalty is not enough to stop him winning again. Scarlet Oak and Magic Glade are both course and distance winners but each has been around the houses and as neither comes here in exemplary form, it is hard to put them forward as major players. Milton Bradley has his horses in better form now and Bluebok is just one of many attractively handicapped horses in the yard, whilst Triskaidekophobia has shaped recently as if a win is not far away and he is another who is well-in on old form. Ridley Didley ran well in defeat last time and having had only four runs he has improvement to come; five furlongs looks to be his trip and it would be a surprise were he to finish outside of the first three. A competitive heat, with preference for Nickel Silver.
Nickel Silver 13-2 (8-13) Made all, ridden and edged right over 1f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Admiral Bond (9-1) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Punching 16-1 (9-4) Soon steadied, held up, switched left after 1f, not clear run from over 1f out until inside final furlong, running on when not clear run towards finish, never able to challenge, 8th of 13, 7l behind Nickel Silver (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp.
Bertie Southstreet 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd line, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind River Kirov (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Bluebok 22-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, took keen hold in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 7l behind Nickel Silver (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lake Sabina 8-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Scarlet Oak 16-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Musical Script (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Ridley Didley (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leader and keen, ridden to lead inside final furlong, no extra when headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Lithaam (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Daddy Cool 50-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 8l behind Mister Thatcher (8-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Magic Glade 16-1 (9-2) Pulled very hard in mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Whiskey Creek (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Triskaidekaphobia 11-2 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, fading when headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Lithaam (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
