chased leaders, led approaching last, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mistake 5th, always behind
keen, mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leader, led 3rd to 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, not quicken
held up, jumped left 1st and 2nd, effort approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led to 3rd, chased leader, led again 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
Dancing Lyra showed enough on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter recently to suggest that he can win races and has to be respected but this really looks little more than a match with Nobelix, expected to get the better of Spear Thistle. The last mentioned has shown ability on the flat and over hurdles before finally opening his account over timber over course and distance recently. The softer surface today should not inconvenience the son of Selkirk but he may not have the ability to cope with the selection. Nobelix jumped like and old handicapper when making a winning debut over timber at Kempton earlier this month and, on ground that suits ideally, the son of Linamix is taken to follow up. John Forbes has yet to translate flat form to the winter game but would have place claims if able to do so and makes more appeal than either Credential or Viable but it is hard to get away from Nobelix who gets the vote.
Nobelix (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, soon clear, easily, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd beating Magnesium (10-12) by 6l, 13 ran.
Spear Thistle 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs beating Instructor (10-12) by 5l, 19 ran.
Credential 40-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 4th of 15, nk behind Band (8-12) at Nottingham 1m hcap (6) sft (Flat).
Dancing Lyra 12-1 (11-0) Held up, hampered and left moderate 3rd 7th, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 32l behind Roll Along (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (2) gs.
John Forbes 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, edged left under pressure flat, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Turbo (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Moon Star (GER) 100-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 6th, weakened next, 8th of 12, 41l behind Little Rocker (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Tarkesar (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch to 3 out, behind when blundered 2 out, 11th of 17, 45l behind Noble Raider (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Viable 25-1 (10-7) Led to 4th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 19, 16l behind Spear Thistle (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Wujood 40-1 (10-11) Mistake 1st, always well behind, tailed off from approaching 7th, 8th of 15, well behind Ladino (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
