pulled hard, hung right throughout, always in rear, well behind when virtually pulled up final furlong
slowly into stride, pulled rear, some late moderate headway
mid-division, driven along and outpaced 4f out, never going pace to reach leaders after
mid-division, ridden on outside 4f out, ridden to dispute 2nd from 3f out, weakened final furlong
made all, kicked on 4f out, all command final 2f, stayed on strongly
held up in mid-division, ridden and outpaced 4f out no chance after
chased leaders, driven to chase winner briefly 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on wide outside and driven 2f out, closed well final furlong to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
mostly chased winner, driven along 4f out, no impression final 2f but held on to hold 2nd
behind, pushed along and struggling final 4f
pulled hard, retained in touch, hard ridden 4f out, steadily lost pace
chased leaders, awkward bend over 5f out, soon pushed along and weakened over 3f out
Strategic Mount can get losses back at the expense of Ballybeg, Disco Lights and Risk Runner to name but three. Strategic Mount was fancied when lining up for his return at Leicester, and indeed ran well until tiring up the hill, finishing third to Faversham. A half-brother to the useful Strategic Choice, he could be one to follow in handicaps, and with the step up in trip to suit, Paul Cole's charge has plenty going for him here. Ballybeg needs to step up from claiming company but will be race-fit, while Disco Lights will appreciate the underfoot conditions much more than when third at Pontefract. Alan King is fast becoming a trainer to fear with his few Flat runners in addition to his usual jump exploits, so Risk Runner will be well prepared for his return, and can make the frame at least. However, Strategic Mount makes most appeal off a mark of 72.
Katies Tuitor 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, led 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Fusili (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Risk Runner (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden halfway, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, edged right, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov beating Snake Skin (7-13) by 3 1/2l, 20 ran.
Tower Hill (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led 8f out to 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind All The Good (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Nov.
Strategic Mount 7-2fav (8-7) Chased leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Faversham (8-7) at Leicester 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs.
Island Odyssey 7-1 (8-3) Held up, ridden and headway to chase leading pair 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Under My Thumb (9-2) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Ballybeg (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, no impression, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Bob's Your Uncle (8-12) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo clm (5) gd.
Disco Lights 11-4 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Hero Worship (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) hvy.
Ritsi 12-1 (9-2) Started slowly, always in rear, struggling from 3f out, 12th of 14, 8l behind Kilbarri (8-12) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
