chased leaders, mistake 3rd, outpaced after 4 out, hit next, soon beaten
in touch, pressed leader 5th, led before 4 out, driven 3 lengths clear before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and not pace of winner closing stages
always behind, struggling final circuit
pressed leader to 4th, chased leaders, pushed along before 8th, reminders and lost place after 10th, no danger after
made most to before 4 out, outpaced in 3rd after 3 out, ridden and weakened last
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on to take 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair
always behind
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, 3 lengths down next, shaken up and ran on flat, led and quickened clear closing stages
An easy winner at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, EUREU DU BOULAY (NAP) is taken to land a hat-trick having beaten Manwell over course and distance before that. The latter re-opposes on better terms but is hard to recommend having finished runner-up on his last six outings now. Lord County should go well again after beating a couple of rivals at Doncaster last time but Brave Spartacus was still well beaten when second at Newcastle. No Ceiling never threatened when placed at Stratford though drops down a grade today as does Song Saa.
Song Saa 12-1 (11-11) Held up in 5th place, closer in 3rd place 9th, ridden and one pace before 3 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 33 1/2l behind Marienstar (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Eureu Du Boulay (FR) 9-4jfav (11-9) Jumped right on occasions, led, headed narrowly 3 out, led again after next, soon ridden, drew clear before last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Virnon (11-9) by 10l, 6 ran.
Justforjames (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) In rear well of the pace, struggling from 10th, pulled up soon after 12th, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Lord County (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Led, joined 4 out, pressed from 3 out, ridden and not fluent 2 out, hard pressed run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Minella For Me (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 4-6fav (11-6) Led, joined when hit 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Jet Master (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Tara Mac 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Native Robin (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
No Ceiling (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, outpaced next, well held 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 18 1/2l behind Sword Of Fate (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Manwell (IRE) 11-4 (10-10) Held up in last, headway 11th, chased winner 3 out, 5 lengths down next, closed when blundered last, unable to challenge, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Eureu Du Boulay (10-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
