not fluent throughout, chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no impression
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, kept on from next, never dangerous
mid-division, never dangerous
always behind, struggling from halfway
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, in 5th and held when fell 2 out
in touch, hit 3rd, went 2nd after 3 out, led approaching last, pushed clear
in touch, outpaced from 7th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
in touch, struggling halfway, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, never nearer
Bleak House gets the confident vote here with Sir Boreas Hawk and The Rocking Dock rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair third in a better race behind Kicks For Free last time out and with the step up in trip looking to be in his favour he looks the one to be on. Sir Boreas Hawk rates the main danger as he beat Guns And Butter with a little in hand last time out and he should be closely watched in the market. The Rocking Doc looked progressive until disappointing last time out and is opposed with this in mind. Monsieur disappointed last time so can not be put forward with any confidence and for the winner we return to Bleak House.
Bleak House (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headway when blundered next, one pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Kicks For Free (11-8) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Monsieur (FR) 4-5fav (11-8) Led, mistake 3 out, soon headed, ridden and weakened after next, 7th of 10, 35l behind Hush Tiger (9-10) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
The Rocking Dock (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 16, 14l behind My Immortal (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Festival King (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no danger after, last of 6, 24l behind Crocodile Dundee (11-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Little Said 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 10, well behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
North Island (IRE) New Frontier gelding, half-brother to winners up to 1m6f and over hurdles.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Behind, struggling 6th, never dangerous, 13th of 16, well behind King Daniel (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Prairie Lord (IRE) Lord of Appeal gelding, half-brother to the very smart stayer Ashal and other winners up to 1m2f.
Red Square Express 10-3 (11-0) In touch, disputed lead halfway, weakened 3f out, 6th of 11, 39l behind Unowatimeen (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Sir Boreas Hawk 3-1co-fav (11-12) Chased leaders, led over 4f out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan beating Guns And Butter (11-0) by 3l, 15 ran.
Tomillielou 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, 6th of 15, 36l behind Wee Forbees (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bally Mayqueen (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Prominent, weakened from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Super Baby (10-9) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Clovella 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 6f out, 11th of 13, well behind Tazbar (10-6) at Perth 2m nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Marton Jubilee 200-1 (10-2) Led, headed halfway, weakened over 5f out, 10th of 12, 47l behind Eden Linty (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mrs nhf (6) gd.
Miss Shred Easy 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, reminder halfway, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 8, 49l behind Scarvagh Diamond (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Lady Steph (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led, headed 5f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 40l behind Theatre Girl (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
