slowly away, behind, headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 5f out, weakened 4f out
ridden and headed over 1f out, beaten when switched right inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along and lost place over 4f out, soon behind
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, edged left and weakened over 1f out
in touch, lost place over 5f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd close home
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon carried left, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung left, ran on well
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, keeping on when not clear run, switched inside final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
always behind
Topton, Tipsy Lad and Bauhinia look the three to concentrate on in this competitive opener and the vote is given to Topton. The selection returns to this surface on a very lenient mark and with the race sure to be run to suit he looks the one to be on from a good draw. Tipsy Lad rates the main danger on his latest second behind Yorkie but he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him there and at likely odds he looks worth taking on off the same mark here. Bauhinia is another worthy of respect on his latest third behind Rustler but he has yet to prove he acts on this surface. Of the remainder Westcourt Dream is from a shrewd yard and is another to note in the market but she is another that has no experience of the surface and for the winner we return to Topton who looks ridiculously well handicapped.
Savernake Brave (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride and behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never able to challenge, 5th of 13, 14l behind Formidable Will (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Oct.
Westcourt Dream 12-1 (8-9) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 12l behind Cleaver (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Wood Fern (UAE) 10-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 18, 1l behind Tacid (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m stk (7) gd in Oct.
Hoh Bleu Dee 5-1fav (8-13) Towards rear, never nearer, 8th of 16, 6l behind Monkstown Road (8-13) at Leicester 7f sll hcp (6) gf in Oct.
Topton (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and not much room over 1f out, and again entering final furlong, soon eased, 10th of 16, 5l behind Dium Mac (8-6) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Tipsy Lad 7-1fav (8-12) Prominent stands' side, overall leader 2f out, headed when hampered by loose horse inside final furlong, not recover, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Yorkie (9-2) at Yarmouth 6f stk (7) gd in Oct.
Bauhinia 20-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, switched right to challenge leaders over 1f out, soon hung left and weakened, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Rustler (8-13) at Brighton 1m mdn stk (5) frm in Sept.
Fantasy Crusader 8-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on outside 3f out, all out when edged left and led close home, won at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol in Oct beating Awaaser (8-5) by a nk, 12 ran.
