in rear, headway and effort over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
behind, never on terms
mid-division, headway and effort over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, soon driven and weakened
held up, effort over 2f out, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong
held up, never on terms
led, ridden and headed 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon driven and weakened
in rear, ridden 3f out, never reached leaders
SALEROSA comes here in the best form and can complete the hat-trick at the main expense of Climate and Sir Liam. Although the selection's two recent wins have coincided with running at Southwell, there is no reason to think that the filly won't be as effective at this track. She is not well-drawn but she is improving all the time and is able to race off the same mark today. Climate had become disappointing earlier in November before turning in a much improved display at the track when holding on by a nose; he was backed to win and would be interesting if the money came again. Sir Liam is consistent enough but recent efforts haven¿t suggested that a win is distinctly imminent, Casablanca Minx was frustrating when trained by David Evans, whilst Clifton Four comes across from Ireland for this modest prize. Stark Contrast needs to bounce back from a poor run, and so it is Salerosa who gets the vote.
Stark Contrast (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out and weakened, 8th of 11, 14l behind Hyde Lea Flyer (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Mooted (UAE) 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened over 2f, 7th of 8, 18l behind Avertis (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Clifton Four (USA) 2-1jt-fav (8-9) Tracked winner, ridden 3f out, weakening when edging left under pressure over 1f out, 4th of 5, 9l behind Dhhamaan (9-7) at Kempton 7f 3yo clm (6) pol in Apr.
Prince Golan (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ours (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Salerosa (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead and edged right entering final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs in Nov beating Boss Hog (11-5) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Climate (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, led just inside final furlong, ridden out and just held on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol beating King of Connacht (8-12) by a ns, 13 ran.
Sir Liam (USA) 9-2 (9-6) Held up, headway 7f out, ridden 3f out, led briefly well inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Bundle Up (8-13) at Brighton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Bailieborough (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Towards rear, good headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 6l behind Climate (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Casablanca Minx (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 2f out, some progresss when hanging left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 12, 9l behind Pab Special (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Whodunit (UAE) 33-1 (8-9) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace after, 6th of 13, 10l behind She's So Pretty (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
The Bodhran Beat (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Chased leaders early, weakened halfway, 13th of 14, 14l behind Full Title (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 0-60 pol in Nov.
Jimmy Dean 22-1 (8-4) Behind, moderate headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 9l behind Greek Theatre (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Fantasy Crusader 20-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, well behind Ba Dreamflight (8-6) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
