held up in rear, headway after 4 out, soon chasing leading pair, mistake 2 out, never able to challenge
in touch, lost place 4 out
behind, mistake 2nd, never dangerous
chased leaders, lost place before 4 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, weakening when bad mistake 2 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon under pressure and weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, always travelling well, not fluent 3 out, led and jumped right last, kept on well
led, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
A good contest in prospect here with some potentially useful recruits to the game and GORDONSVILLE is given the nod ahead of Ascendant and Kind Heart. The selection, another Jim Goldie inmate, was last seen winning here on the flat over two miles back in October, when the ground was described as good to soft. Rated in the mid-80s in that sphere, he has the ability to make into a very useful hurdler over staying trips in time, but this is a good starting point and we hope that he is good enough. Ascendant was also in cracking form when last seen, winning three of his four most recent starts on the flat, including here over 1m 6f. He is rated slightly superior to our pick on the level and also handles cut, so he should be in the shake-up. Kind Heart won on her hurdling introduction at Aintree in October but disappointed under a penalty next time and has not been seen since. She has a bit to prove in terms of both conditions and ability against the other pair, but is far from ruled out. Instersky Charm has to show he stays this far, and might be a little short on class, and a better proposition may be Rossini's Dancer, who stays and acts with cut. It's a fascinating contest and one in which Gordsonsville is selected.
Gordonsville 11-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, held on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct beating Dayia (9-9) by 1l, 8 ran (flat).
Heart O' The West (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, well behind Hollins (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Intersky Charm (USA) 80-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after next, in a race won by Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Jewelled Dagger (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 12, 11l behind Skylancer (11-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Paddington Bob (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, 7th of 12, 45l behind Alasi (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Rossini's Dancer 15-2 (11-0) Prominent, well held and disputing 3rd when fell last, in a race won by Hold Fast (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Si Bien (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 3rd, some headway from 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 15, 22l behind The Knoxs (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Agricultural 125-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Tillietudlem (11-5) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Ascendant 5-6fav (9-12) Made all, driven 2f out, strongly challenged approaching final furlong, just held on, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep beating Spirit Is Needed (9-4) by hd, 7 ran (flat).
Kind Heart 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 6th, ridden after next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 33l behind Evening Sunset (11-5) at Fakenham 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (4) gd in Nov.
Warrior One 4-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
