chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon hard ridden, kept on well
stumbled start, rushed up and clipped heels inside 1st furlong, in touch, headway to lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, stayed on
led until over 5f out, remained prominent, kept on same pace final 2f
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra close home
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway after 3f, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden and effort over 1f out, never trouble leaders
tracked leaders early, soon towards rear, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
behind, some headway 2f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, led over 5f out, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Western Roots looks well handicapped here but he is bang out of form at present and THUNDERSTRUCK is preferred. Jeremy Glover's gelding has been well placed to win two of his last five, being placed in the other three. He is rather unfortunate to have gone up by 4lbs to today's mark of 72, but he did go close behind Crazy Chris at Kempton last time and on balance, he probably deserved it. That, of course, makes it tougher today, but there is no doubting he is finding improvement, and hopefully he can be good enough. Western Roots has won seven times from marks higher than today's 57, and he acts well at this track. On the face of it he looks thrown in, although recent efforts suggest that he may be on the slide and he is not one to trust. Bavarica is in decent nick and stays this trip well. However, her record here is just one win from numerous attempts and she may have to wait for other days. Pam Sly has her stable in form, which augurs well for Mutually Mine, although you will have to forgive the filly a stinker at Kempton last time if you are to get involved. Waahej is 4lbs higher than a course and distance win here in September and with Simon Walker up looks set to go well, but preference is for Thunderstruck.
Iron Out (USA) 15-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Oriental Cavalier (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Thunderstruck 7-2 (10-6) Led, ridden over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Crazy Chris (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Jeer (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Free Tussy (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
City Hustler (USA) 15-2 (9-8) Led early, tracked leader, led again over 6f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 11l behind Inflammable (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol.
Bavarica 20-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on inside from over 2f out, effort over 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind French Art (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Waahej 17-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 11l behind Elusive Fame (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Mutually Mine (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 27l behind Crazy Chris (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Mr Fantozzi (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Raced far side, tracked leader, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out, 11th of 12, 27l behind Northern Jem (9-6) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jul.
Western Roots 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 29l behind Rock Anthem (10-1) at Salisbury 1m ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Flighty Fellow (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, came wide straight, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Ten Pole Tudor (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Nov.
