missed break, towards rear, lost touch over 3f out
always prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish
chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon hung left, headed inside final furlong, ran on
held up, ridden over 2f out, always behind
tracked leaders, took keen hold, squeezed through over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
held up in mid-division, switched right, headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders
held up, headway 3f out, not clear run, switched left over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, short lived effort on inside over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon steadied back into mid-division, weakened over 2f out, hung left over 1f out
prominent, led 3f out, hard ridden, hung left from 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
always in rear
soon led, headed 3f out, weakening when not much room 2f out
A reasonably competitive handicap can be taken by WAAHEJ, while The Grey One may emerge as the most serious danger. Peter Hiatt chooses to drop the selection back to a mile after he was beaten from this mark of 66 here over 1m 3f last time. While his earlier form at this trip suggested he wanted further, he is clearly very competitive at present, acts on the surface, and in fact may be well suited by a mile on this slower surface. We will chance him. The Grey One recorded a course and distance success way back in April 2007, and is rated 3lbs higher than his best win today. He is a consistent performer who can be relied upon to get involved again in this. Business Class is 6lbs higher than when landing a course and distance handicap in September, and although beaten since on turf, he is arguably unexposed on this surface and is not ruled out. Jord has won four of his five races from higher marks and looks potentially well handicapped, so we should take note of any support, while Iron Out is proving expensive to follow. Waahej gets the margianal vote.
Desert Mile (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, 7th approaching straight, no extra from 2f out, last of 13, 14l behind Mid Mon Lady (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 1f app hcp in Oct.
Hilbre Court (USA) 11-2 (8-6) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Salerosa (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Iron Out (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no chance, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Amethyst Dawn (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Eastern Gift 14-1 (9-5) In touch, lost place on outer over 3f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Tourist (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Elusive Fame (USA) 14-1 (8-8) Soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 17l behind Gassin (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
The Grey One (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Raced keenly, always prominent, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Fine Ruler (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Ailsa Craig (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, effort on inside 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 10, 12l behind You've Been Mowed (8-4) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Border Owl (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 9l behind Lujano (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Waahej 5-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Charging Indian (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct.
Binfield (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led, 3l clear 3f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Red Suede Shoes (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Business Class (BRZ) 13-2 (10-7) Led and raced keen, raced wide on bend 4f out, headed over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 12, 5l behind Edas (10-8) at Musselburgh 1m 1f am hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Daltaban (FR) 66-1 (9-13) Chased leader, weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 37l behind No Rules (9-6) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Jord (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, stayed on under strong pressure, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind La Gifted (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) pol.
Bold Diktator 33-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, last of 13, 43l behind Alqaahir (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
