slowly into stride, in rear and ridden along, well beaten over 2f out
tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, no impression after
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
awkward start, held up in rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on well
prominent, lost place over 6f out, stayed on from over 1f out, no impression on winner
took keen hold, mid-division, headway on outside over 5f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, edged right and no impression
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong
Evacusafe Lady won here in October and should confirm running with Roger Thorpe despite slightly worse terms. Neither Hickster nor Dana's Present could cope with a rise in the weights last time having won their penultimate starts while Overrider is facing a tougher task after popping-up at 20/1 here back in November. Course specialist John Potts is not easily dismissed and neither is recent Kempton winner Dana's Present, but GABRIAL THE DUKE (NAP) is now back on the same mark as when scoring at Salisbury during the summer and gets the vote to defy top weight.
Gabrial The Duke (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sheriff Of Nawton (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Evacusafe Lady 10-1 (8-9) Raced wide, in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 8, 8l behind Queen Of Skies (8-9) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) fbs in Dec.
The Firm (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Rakaan (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Dana's Present 11-4 (9-13) Hedl up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 7l behind Baltic Prince (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Hill Fort 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 10, 10l behind Best Tamayuz (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Roger Thorpe 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Best Tamayuz (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
John Potts 8-1 (10-5) Raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 9, 7l behind Fujin Dancer (10-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Day Of The Eagle (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Softly She Treads (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Hickster (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Led, ridden 3f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Major Rowan (8-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Overrider 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) in Nov beating Rock Charm (8-13) by ns, 11 ran.
