chased leader, pushed along after 5th, ridden, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on from next
tracked leaders, ridden, slightly outpaced after 3 out, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd after last, one pace
led, ridden and headed last, kept on flat
always behind, hit 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching7th, ridden to lead last, pushed out
prominent, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, prominent 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken from last
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
Samson des Galas gets the vote over Zeloso, with Northern Rambler, Joe Malone and Dark Slaney others to consider. Samson des Galas at least has fitness on his side, having finished runner-up on each of his last two starts, the most recent being a fortnight ago. That was on this course over a longer trip than today's when he was second to Lazy Lena, but prior to that he was only just touched off by Maunby Rocker at Hexham and on that form, Robert Gray's charge should take the beating here. Zeloso takes a drop down in distance and class but does not win too often, and the concession of nine-pounds to the selection is a tough task. Northern Rambler is still a maiden, while Dark Slaney has a long absence to overcome and Joe Malone has shown little in limited appearances, albeit in better company than this. For the winner we return to Samson des Galas.
Comfortable Call 16-1 (11-12) Behind, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lazy Lena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Road King (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 18, 16l behind The Hairy Lemon (10-13) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Joe Malone (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, outpaced next, 5th of 10, 21l behind Habitual (11-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Oct.
Seraph 100-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Julius Caesar (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Zeloso 14-1 (11-4) Held up, in rear, mistake 3rd, headway 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 17, 34l behind Temper Lad (10-10) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs in Nov.
Northern Rambler (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) In touch, lost place 4 out, soon behind, 9th of 15, 39l behind Qualitair Pleasure (11-7) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov.
Flemming (USA) 14-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 4th of 9, 28l behind Lazy Lena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Nov.
Samson des Galas (FR) 2-1fav (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, kept on flat, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lazy Lena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Nov.
