held up, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on well
mid-division, headway to chase winner over 1f out, no impression
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, quickened to take clear lead over 1f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace
held up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until weakened over 1f out
chased leaders until over 3f out
GRAMM won over the course and distance last time, and after that game success, he is taken to follow up here. Relatively lightly raced, Mick Easterby's runner crashed down the handicap, which helped his cause last time. The handicapper has been very kind-he races off only a two pound higher mark here, and in his current form and with his confidence restored, he looks a safe nomination. Winner of a seller last year, Sharps Gold has run a couple of good races recently to be placed, and in the context of this race has to come into calculations. Her latest effort was poor however, and she may have to wait a little longer before returning to the winners' enclosure. Norwegian has been dropped two pounds despite a sound effort to be fourth over this course and distance last time, and although he has not won since spring last year, he has come down to what looks a competitive mark and he looks sure to be thereabouts. Gramm can follow up.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, 9th of 13, 8l behind Plush (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Gramm 16-1 (9-1) Held up, steady headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Royal Encore (8-13) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Royal Island (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Towards rear, soon chased along, effort over 2f out, some late headway, never reached challenging position, 5th of 8, 8l behind Smarty Socks (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, switched left over 1f, stayed on towards finish, 6th of 11, 13l behind Taqdeyr (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn (5) fbs in Nov.
Sharps Gold 25-1 (8-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, weakened 3f out, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Stage Acclaim (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) sft in Jul.
Red Current 20-1 (8-11) In touch on inner, not much room when hampered and checked just over 2f out, not recover, 9th of 13, 10l behind Climate (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Kabis Amigos 40-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 14l behind Plush (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Beck 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leader on outside, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 16l behind Double Valentine (8-11) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol.
Norwegian 9-1 (8-4) Chased leader until over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Josr's Magic (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Autograph Hunter 50-1 (8-7) Outpaced and soon chased along, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 17l behind Barkass (9-6) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Pajada 20-1 (8-3) Chased leaders over 3f, last of 9, 8l behind Game Lady (9-1) at Lingfield 6f sll (6) gs in Aug.
Millennium Storm (GER) 14-1 (8-11) Always behind, never near leaders, 12th of 13, 11l behind Fernlawn Hope (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov '07.
Abbeygate 14-1 (8-8) Raced wide, held up, ridden over 3 furlong out, soon weakened, last of 13, 39l behind Mozayada (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
