raced in close 3rd, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner, weakened and lost two places towards finish
led over 2f, tracked leader, led again 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied towards finish, no chance with winner
raced keenly tracking leaders pushed along out wide over 3f out, pushed along and hung left over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final 2f
held up in 5th, smooth headway in centre over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, easily
held up in rear, pushed along when not clear run from over 2f out, switched left inside final 2f, went between horses over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, almost snatched 2nd, no chance with winner
FRANCO GRASSO, a winner at Yarmouth in May, was making his all-weather debut when staying on strongly over the trip at Kempton and will be difficult to beat. Forlio has steadily improved and makes his handicap debut after attempting to make all at Beverley where he only weakened in the closing stages. Nastasiya's best run came over 2m here in December, though she's been running poorly over hurdles, while Purple Ice was having his first all-weather run and tackling this trip for the first time when a close third here last week. The lightly-raced Heathen may do better now stepping up to a more suitable trip.
Franco Grasso 16-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 3rd of 14, 1/4l behind Largo Bay (10-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Nastasiya 8-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along before 2 out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Genever Dragon (11-11) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Longclaw (USA) 40-1 (10-1) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 10l behind Travesuras (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Forlio 10-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and kicked clear 3f out, reduced advantage and edged left towards stands rail over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened and lost two places final 100yds, 4th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Frankendael (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f stks (5) sft in Sep.
Heathen 11-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, short of room over 1f out when switched right, ran on until no extra final 110yds, lost fourth towards finish, 5th of 13, 4l behind Tele Red (9-12) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Sep.
Purple Ice (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, every chance final furlong, not quicken final 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Citizen General (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
