keen in rear, headway on outer to go 3rd over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on to go 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway on outer 4f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, readily
in touch, went 3rd 6f out, shuffeled back over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong
slowly away, in rear, never near leaders
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Half of this field are winners over the C&D but Bushy Dell is out of the handicap and discounted. Ethics Girl may now be in the grip of the handicapper while Jezza has been raised another 8lb following his easy victory last month and this looks tougher. LEYTE GULF loves it around here and gained his fifth victory over the C&D when seeing off Dart at the end of last month. He's only been raised 2lb and another success looks on the cards. Both Carlton Scroop and Stormy Morning are running well enough to get competitive in a tight handicap.
Ethics Girl (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, disputing 2nd when not clear run over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 9l behind Mongoose Alert (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 11-2 (8-13) Led, headed 4f out, chased winner, pushed out final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Country Road (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, disputed 2nd from 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Country Road (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Jezza 10-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Stormy Morning (9-6) by 3l, 12 ran.
Stormy Morning 22-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led briefly 2f out, chased winner after, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Jezza (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 15-2 (8-13) Held up, smooth headway 2f out, switched right 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Dart (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Bushy Dell (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, niggled along 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Jezza (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Inside Knowledge (USA) 16-1 (8-4) Keen tracked leaders, led after 4f, ridden and pressed from 3f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Leyte Gulf (8-13) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.