towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
prominent, driven over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
soon led, driven inside final furlong, headed towards finish
prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
behind, headway over 1f out, went 3rd well inside final furlong, ran on
soon outpaced and behind, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never dangerous
mid-division, switched left and headway over 1f out, kept on, lost 3rd well inside final furlong
chased leaders, driven and lost place over 1f out
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
BERGERAC won at Newcastle last time having earlier gone close in this higher grade at the same track when ahead of Lord Riddiford. Strong Johnson also has something to find with the selection, though beat both Castan and Khabib when successful at Newcastle, while Blind Beggar arrives on the back of a win at Chelmsford with Crimson Sand back in third. Hiya Maite scored here at this time last year and is not out of this either.
Lord Riddiford (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Held up in last pair, headway on inside turning in, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Clearpoint (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Bergerac (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Made all, faced challenge well over 1f out, kept on well, in command 110 yards out, readily, won at Newcastle 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Dickieburd (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
The Bell Conductor (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Silky Wilkie (9-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Above (FR) 14-1 (9-6) Raced wide chased leader 2f, tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Probe (9-7) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Blind Beggar (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Pressed leader, ran on inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Regal Envoy (9-1) by nk, 9 ran.
Hiya Maite 7-1 (9-8) Led, raced alone on far side, disputed lead over 2f out, pushed along when headed over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, not match winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Desperate Hero (9-9) at Nottingham 5f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Strong Johnson (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Soon crossed over from wide draw to lead, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Clarendon House (9-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Crimson Sand (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not pace of leading duo, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Blind Beggar (9-8) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Conquistador 9-2 (9-7) Pushed along out wide over 2f out, never closer than mid-division, 7th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Clearpoint (9-9) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Khabib (IRE) 11-4jfav (9-8) Held up in mid-division, good headway chasing leaders and switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Twilight Madness (9-8) by nk, 11 ran.
Jenever 9-4 (9-11) Off the pace towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Pop Dancer (9-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Castan 9-2 (9-6) Prominent, ridden and led over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, headed in the final strides, 2nd of 9, nk behind Strong Johnson (9-11) at Newcastle 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Zargun (GER) 22-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 2f out, remained close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Rambuso Creek (9-1) at Leicester 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
