led, headed 2 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace from next
held up in rear, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, one pace
with leader, weakened 3 out
in touch, led 2 out, stayed on well
prominent, pushed along, lost place 5th, kept on from 2 out
Nonrunner
Atticus Boy is in the form of his life at present having won his last three starts, latterly a novices' hurdle here over 2m4f and John Wade's gelding is taken to make the most of what seems a decent handicap mark, getting the verdict ahead of Gringo and Elaala. The last mentioned has a couple of recent wins in selling company to his name but was well held in second place behind Master Nimbus back in a handicap last time so he may be booked for a place at best again. Maneki Neko probably needs some help from the handicapper, while Sun King is another that may be a shade high in the weights at present. Howard Johnson's Gringo ran a fair race in defeat here last time and should be thereabouts again but Atticus Boy is in top form at present and he is preferred.
Atticus Boy (USA) 13-8fav (11-9) Made all, clear 3 out, readily, won at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Breaking Storm (10-12) by 7l, 9 ran.
Sun King 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 4th of 12, 3l behind Kristiansand (10-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Kickahead (USA) 4-1jt-fav (11-4) Held up and behind, steady headway on outside from 5th, jumped left 2 out, weakened approcahing last, 5th of 12, 18l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 3-1co-fav (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Hue (10-11) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Elaala (USA) 6-1 (9-13) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway approaching 4, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Sir Night (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Led to 4 out, headed and outpaced next, 8th of 10, 10l behind Insurgent (9-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Gringo 4-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden 3 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Master Nimbus (10-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
