chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always behind, ridden and struggling 3f out
chased leading pair until approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
chased leader, challenged 2f out, led just over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway on outside and hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace and no impression final furlong
in touch, edged left and not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd post
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, switched left and went 3rd approaching final furlong, kept on, lost 3rd post
held up in mid-division, headway well over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd well inside final furlong, no impression
led, ridden and headed just over 1f out, chased leader until well inside final furlong, weakened in closing stages
always behind, never on terms
One Scoop Or Two and Berlusca were separated by only a head when the former won here last time and Knowe Head has suffered a couple of narrow-margin defeats at the track on his recent outings. Elspeth's Boy went close over track and trip three weeks ago and the winner has gone in again while Strike Force and Lean On Pete are not easily dismissed back at this course. However, given so many have decent claims, it could pay to look outside the more obvious choices and take a punt on FABLED CITY lasting home as he went close in similar company over a mile at Lingfield last time off today's mark
Fabled City (USA) 11-4 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway well over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Aquilonius (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Nelson's Bay 7-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, under pressure over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 14, 4l behind Quixote (8-9) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Strike Force 20-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders on outer, went 2nd 9f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 8l behind Harry Buckle (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Scottish Star 10-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, reluctant leader 1f at steady pace, tracked leader until halfway, stayed tracking leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 7l behind Rule Book (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sep.
Brigadoon 16-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway on outside over 2f out, not able to trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 4l behind Enthusiastic (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Lean On Pete (IRE) 2-1fav (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chasing leaders when under pressure over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Noble Jack (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Knowe Head (NZ) 8-1 (9-3) In touch, headway when short of room entering final 2f, ridden to chase winner 1f out, driven to challenge inside final furlong, gaing towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Patriotic (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
One Scoop Or Two 11-4 (8-12) Held up, not clear run on inside 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Berlusca (9-4) by hd, 9 ran.
Berlusca (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind One Scoop Or Two (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Elspeth's Boy (USA) 15-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish, lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Hurricane Spirit (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol.
Albaqaa 33-1 (9-3) Raced wide towards rear, kept on final furlong, never a factor, 6th of 9, 5l behind Crew Cut (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
