towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead final strides
in touch, ridden over 2f out, effort entering final furlong, kept on one pace
joined leader after 1f, led approaching 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide, prominent, led going well 2f out, ridden 1f out, headed final strides
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear
raced wide mid-division, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
held up, never a factor
in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace
led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led after 1f, ridden and headed approaching 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
CUT AND THRUST is looking to end a long losing run here, but looks capable of winning again off his current mark having gone close when third over C&D last time. He gets the vote. Having A Ball also has solid claims, though his previous three wins at this track came over a mile, while Avalon Bay should be winning soon as he continues to drop down the handicap. Young Simon's only victory to date came over 6f here and C&D winner Royal Envoy makes more appeal on his comeback run.
Cut And Thrust (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Blindfold off late, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, held close home, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Yakama (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Having A Ball 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mountrath (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Avalon Bay 20-1 (10-3) Raced wide in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Minortransgression (10-10) at Southwell 1m am hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Peace Seeker 28-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride and bumped start, behind, struggling when forced very wide on home turn, no progress, 7th of 9, 18l behind Queen Grace (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Young Simon 5-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, ran on, not able to trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Chester Deelyte (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Nov.
White Shift (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Switched right after start, well in rear, headway over 1f out, not clearest of runs inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 9, 5l behind Dashwood (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Harvest Mist (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furong, no impression, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Gallantry (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Norcroft 16-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Storm Runner (8-7) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Beating Harmony 25-1 (8-8) Behind, headway on outside 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Dashing Eddie (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Ghost Dancer 10-1 (8-5) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 13, 5l behind Bold Ring (9-4) at Lingfield 7f app hcp 0-58 (6) pol in Nov.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Prominent, challenged over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon headed, unable to quicken, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Cane Cat (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Mar.
Emerald Royal 100-1 (8-5) Always in rear, last of 8, 12l behind Deerslayer (8-9) at Lingfield 5f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Scruffy Skip (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Outpaced, 12th of 13, 13l behind Bold Ring (9-4) at Lingfield 7f app hcp 0-58 (6) pol in Nov.
Yanbu (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 39l behind Aerodynamic (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
