in touch, hit first, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on
always towards rear, held off and pulled up before 2 out
led until after 1st, prominent, not fluent 4 out, led next, ridden and edged right approaching last, hard pressed flat, just held on, all out
took keen hold in rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, not reached leaders
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 11th, blundered next, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance from last, just held
mid-division when blundered badly 4th, soon behind, never recovered, pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, hit 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
led after 1st, hit 10th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division when fell 6th
took keen hold, always towards rear
mid-division and weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Perhaps not as good as the number might suggest, and preference is for I'M THE DECIDER ahead of Edgbriar, Barnhill Brownie and Orion D'Oudaires. Although yet to win in nine starts all told, Jonjo O'Neill's son of presenting has run some good races in defeat. His second to a progressive rival in Six Day War at Hereford last time reads well and with this trip expected to suit and the stable in form, a big run looks on the cards. Cast Cada probably has a tough task under top-weight, so of more interest may be Barnhill Brownie. Phillip Hobbs' gelding has his first start in handicap company today and bumped into a good one when tasting defeat last time at the track; a mark of 120 may not be enough to halt his progress. Theatrical Moment has been disappointing but the talent is there, Pipo De Re ran well behind the exciting Charity Lane last time and the longer trip may help, whilst Richard's Sundance has an 11lb rise in the weights for a facile win last time to contend with. Alan King's horses enjoyed a day out at the track yesterday and Orion D'Oudaires is interesting back up in trip, whilst at a price Broken Beau's run behind Weird Al looks as solid as a rock. The market may help provide any further clues, but it is I'm The Decider who can take the pot.
Cast Cada (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, stumbled last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Gypsy George (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Orion d'Oudairies (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway 5th, slightly hampered 6th, chased leader 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Definity (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 7th, clear when went left 2 out, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov beating Loulou Nivernais (10-8) by 17l, 7 ran.
Barnhill Brownie (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) With leader, led 6th, pecked 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Toby Belch (11-4) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Edgbriar (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, headway travelling well 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov beating Parlesotho (11-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
Broken Beau (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 18, 9l behind Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Regal Approach (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Held up well in rear, hampered on bend after 5th, headway going well enough approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 19, 8l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Picts Hill 8-1 (10-11) Held up and keen, headway 3rd, led after 4th, headed and weakened 3 out, last of 7, 42l behind Maktu (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leader until after 2nd, 2nd again 4th, led and not fluent 7th, headed when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 50l behind Tisfreetdream (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Double Obsession 20-1 (10-10) Held up, hit 5th and 7th, ridden after 9th, staying on same pace when hit 2 out, went 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Midas Way (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Pipo De Re (FR) 6-1 (10-9) In touch until lost place 4th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 8l behind Charity Lane (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 3 out, mistake 2 out and soon headed, weakened soon after, 5th of 11, 25l behind Edgbriar (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Wychwoods Legend 9-2 (10-10) Led, hit 5th and 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, rallied last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Silver Spinner (10-7) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
I'm The Decider (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, stayed on, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Six Day War (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Delays Expected (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 11, 32l behind Carole's Legacy (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Romantic Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 7th, kept on one pace, never trouble leaders, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Silver Spinner (10-7) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
