never dangerous
led, ridden 2f out, one pace and headed approaching 1f out
tracked leaders, switched right and effort over 1f out, one pace
soon tracking leader, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after
tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, all out, headed close home
mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on, not reached leaders
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home
in touch, chased leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, reluctant, always behind
mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
DAVIDS MARK, one of several course and distance winners in the line-up, is selected ahead of Arfinnit and Sherjawy. One of two John Jenkins runners in the line-up, the selection comes here on the back of a fair fifth at Great Leighs, when he wasn't beaten far behind the winner Perlachy. Dropped a further pound in the weights for that run, the nine-year-old gelding is now 11lb lower than his highest winning mark (albeit five years ago), and a big run looks on the cards. Ishibee was well-fancied last time at Kempton but once again got going too late and is hard to win with, so a bigger danger could be Sherjawy. Zoe Davison's gelding showed a good battling attitude to win last time and is not badly treated under a penalty. Tadlil is nicely handicapped if getting it all together, Grizedale is getting on in years but recent runs have shown he retains enthusiasm for the game, whilst Hollow Jo, a stablemate of the selection, goes without the visor today that has been on for the last two runs. A tricky opener, where Arfinnit comes into the race on the back of a good second at Lingfield, but it is Davids Mark who looks worth chancing.
Grizedale (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Took keen hold, close up, ridden 3f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Wooden King (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Tamino (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, lost place over 2f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind What Katie Did (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Sherjawy (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, stayed on gamely and held on well towards finish, won at Kempton 6f stk (7) pol beating Flamestone (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Affirmatively 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders to well over 2f out, weakened quickly and soon behind, 11th of 12, 8l behind River Kirov (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Tadlil 3-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, not much room over 3f, ridden and brought wide over 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 7l behind Charlotte Grey (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Davids Mark 15-2 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Perlachy (8-12) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Hollow Jo 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Helping Hand (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ishibee (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Held up, effort behind leaders over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sherjawy (9-0) at Kempton 6f stk (7) pol.
Mr Loire 33-1 (8-0) Started slowly, outpaced throughout, 11th of 12, 15l behind Gainshare (8-1) at W'hampton 6f app hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Arfinnit (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Tracked winner, ridden and 2 lengths adrift 2f out, kept on, no impression on winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Whiskey Creek (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
