led, was ridden along halfway, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
dwelt and towards rear, soon chased along, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong
in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden along and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
never better than mid-division
chased leaders to halfway
always rear division
dwelt and behind, never a factor
in touch, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear and soon chased along, some late headway, never reached challenging position
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
MR WOLF is taken to defy topweight in this big-field sprint, while Braille and Strathmore look likely challengers. All three short-listed runners hail from in-form stables, with David Barker's Mr Wolf preferred primarily because he remains pretty well handicapped and he is drawn on the nearside rail, from where he can hopefully dominate. Braille has yet to prove himself on ground quicker than good, but there was nothing wrong with his one length defeat of Grudge at Redcar when we last saw him nine months ago and his trainer can get them fit first time, so he is respected. The same can be said of Strathmore, who had to contend with coming down the middle of the track here last time when beaten just a length. Again, he is drawn high here and although they do sometimes win from that side of the track it may not be to his advantage. Nomoreblondes looks handicapped to the hilt now, while Embra has to cope with an 8lb rise for winning last summer and has fitness to prove. Guest Connections is back on a good mark and is an each way suggestion from a yard also going well, but preference is for Mr Wolf.
Mr Wolf 9-1 (8-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed last 50 yards, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Kay Two (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcap (4) gs in Oct.
Pacific Pride 16-1 (8-10) Led far side group, headed entering final furlong by far side group, one pace, 9th of 16, 5l behind High Curragh (8-11) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Silvanus (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders and keen, every chance on outer over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Jaconet (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Fantasy Believer 16-1 (9-2) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, no impression, 11th of 13, 8l behind Earlsmedic (8-7) at Newmarket 6f hcap (4) gd in Aug.
Bahamian Ballet 10-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 19, 7l behind Haajes (9-5) at Redcar 5f hcap (5) gd in Oct.
Speedy Senorita (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 16, 8l behind Kay Two (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcap (4) gs in Oct.
Nomoreblondes 5-1 (8-8) Soon outpaced, always behind, last of 8, 12l behind Steelcut (8-12) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Comptonspirit 7-1fav (9-2) Chased leaders, every chance entering final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Darcy's Pride (8-6) at Redcar 5f fll hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Braille 10-1 (9-2) In touch, led well over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Redcar 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Grudge (9-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Feelin Foxy 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Darcy's Pride (8-6) at Redcar 5f fll hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Embra (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jul beating Jaconet (9-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Guest Connections 20-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway on inner over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 17, 9l behind Pickering (8-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Kyzer Chief 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Imperial Sword (7-12) at Ripon 5f app hcp (5) gf.
Strathmore (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Imperial Sword (7-12) at Ripon 5f app hcp (5) gf.
Dalarossie 12-1 (9-1) Raced keenly, led 1f, chased leader until ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 10l behind One More Round (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
King Of Swords (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway well over 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 13, 2l behind Cape Royal (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcap (5) hvy in Oct.
Restless Genius (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind until kept on final 2f, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Nomoreblondes (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 13, 11l behind Lethal (9-1) at Yarmouth 6f clm stks (6) gd.
