always in rear
held up, ridden 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out
mid-division, not clear run and switched left 2f out, no further impression
towards rear, effort and some headway over 2f out, rallied briefly approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led 2f out, headed close home
held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, when hanging right and led close home
soon mid-division, headway and ridden 2f out, close up 1f out, one pace final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed and weakened soon after
tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, not recover
The first of two 11 furlongs handicaps and each is equally poor; solid recent form is few and far between and we will take a chance on the tongue-tied for the first time VANQUISHER. Although a win record of a sole victory from 25 starts makes for scary reading, the selection's two most recent runs have been promising. However the handicapper has been lenient and the horse now races off a career-low mark of 46; given that he went fairly close off a mark of 70 at Haydock in the summer, he could easily strike here. Amwell Brave is a course winner and has plenty of experience to draw on. His wins however have all come over a slightly shorter trip and with just three career wins to date he looks more of a place bet. Jane Chapple-Hyam has a good strike-rate at the track and she saddles A Valley Away today. An opening mark of 57 for this handicap debut may be lenient in time, however the horse needs to improve significantly on three maiden runs to date. Pomander has top-weight and this dual-performer hasn't been seen on the level for some time, Hatch A Plan has winning course form and is one to watch in the betting for a stable who do well here, whilst Lytham doesn't always look the easiest of rides but ran with more promise last time. An open handicap, with Vanquisher taken to win.
Pomander (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Towards rear, kept on from 2f out, 6th of 15, 15l behind Majestic Concorde (8-6) at Killarney 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 sft in May '06.
Rockjumper 11-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 12l behind Kannon (9-3) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Hatch A Plan (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 15, 5l behind Ba Dreamflight (8-6) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Festival Dreams 25-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden and lost place 3f out, one pace final 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 10l behind Wyeth (11-2) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Dec.
A Valley Away (IRE) 17-2 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression from well over 1f out, 4th of 8, 15l behind Red Tarn (8-13) at Southwell 1m 3f app mdn (6) fbs.
Vanquisher (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway and wide over 1f out, kept on under strong pressure final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Spume (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Lytham (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Keen hold in mid-division, headway travelling well over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Sagunt (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Amwell Brave 14-1 (8-11) Held up in main group, ridden and some headway 2f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 8l behind Zalkani (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Tiegs (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Held up, headway 8f out, soon with leaders, went 2nd 5f out until weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Blockley (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Titfer (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 10, 31l behind Sabre Light (8-9) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) pol in Oct.
Autumn Charm 16-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, wide and headway over 2f out, kept on to go 4th final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Chalice Welcome (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
