dwelt, mid-division, hampered over 4f out, headway and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent 5f
prominent over 4f
tracked leader, edged left over 4f out, ridden halfway, ran on to lead post
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
raced wide, in rear, pushed along half way, ridden and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace
reared start, slowly away, always in rear
chased leader, led 2f out, soon ridden 3 lengths clear, weakened and caught post
slowly into stride, in rear, never nearer
held up, ridden and weakened well over 2f out
This looks a competitive opener but we will give the tentative vote to Dancing Deano with both Royal Orissa and The Salwick Flyer worth noting in the betting market. The selection carries a six pound penalty and is bidding to land a hat-trick after wins at Wolverhampton and last time over course and distance. His form reads well and although he has risen in the weights he has won and been placed off a much higher mark in the past therefore he still could be potentially well treated. Royal Orissa is another that has slipped to a handy mark. His last win was back in the summer at Wolverhampton off an eight pound higher mark so if able to recapture his best he would have a chance. The Salwick Flyer seems a frustrating horse to follow but did land a handicap at Hamilton during the summer. His recent form has declined in recent months so is to be treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Dancing Deano.
Dancing Deano (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs beating Ruffie (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tequila Sheila (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 8l behind Mountain Pass (8-13) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Cryptic Clue (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, ridden and headway halfway, kept on under pressure, 5th of 14, 6l behind Totally Free (9-4) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Apr.
The Salwick Flyer (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Towards rear, soon pushed along, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Fast Freddie (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Maraagel (USA) 8-1 (8-7) Behind, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sweetsformysweet (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Royal Orissa 11-1 (8-6) Soon prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Fast Freddie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Astorygoeswithit 7-1 (9-1) Always towards, never dangerous final 2f, 9th of 13, 9l behind Ai Hawa (8-12) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Maeve (IRE) 66-1 (8-2) Always in the rear, 6th of 8, 16l behind Dramatic (8-0) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 7l behind Ninth House (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol.
Van Ruymbeke (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Held up and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 15l behind Summer Bounty (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Oct.
Scruffy (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Keen and in touch, lost place and behind over 6f out, last of 13, 38l behind Prince Noel (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
