keen hold in mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened soon after
led after 2nd, made rest, strongly pressed from 2 out, went left last, stayed on gamely flat
chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, smooth headway on bit to track leaders approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, soon every chance, no extra final 100 yards
held up in last pair, pushed along after 3 out, headway and clogged on at one pace approaching 2 out, mistake last
led to after 2nd, chased winner, still challenging 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last, weakened flat
chased leaders until approaching 2 out, mistake last
mistake 1st, held up in rear, ridden and beaten approaching 2 out, mistake last
towards rear, lost touch after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and struggling before 3 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, 4th and no impression when mistake last
Magnesium is preferred to Jazz Scene and Cottingham. Magnesium has proved difficult to win with in the past but the form of his recent run behind Nobelix was given a massive boost by that runner earlier in the week. Brendan Powell's team are in good nick at present and a chance is taken that normal improvement can be gleaned. Jazz Scene has ability but also has the tendancy to pull hard in his races. A fair performer on the level, he would not want the ground to be turning any softer. Cottingham looks to have made a much better hurdler than flat performer. He was not disgraced behind Fantastic Arts at Hereford although more is required here. Inn For The Dancer looks fated to finish in the places having hit the frame on three of his career starts over timber thus far. From a handicapping perspective, he rates the obvious benchmark. Falkenauge is dropped in trip after being tried over three miles in Ireland. The McCoy factor may see his price trade at much shorter than his form allows. Knocker Jock has shown glimpses of ability in his two runs this term and is watched in the market for any signs of confidence. Not a strong race by Sandown standards and Magnesium is selected in spite of a poor win-run ratio.
Jazz Scene (IRE) 13-8 (10-13) Raced in 3rd, tracked winner 4 out, ridden and effort 3 out, mistake 2 out, held when fell at the last in race won by Ellerslie Tom (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug, 3 ran.
Magnesium (USA) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Nobelix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Red Acres (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway after 4 out, moderate 5th after 3 out, stayed on, 4th of 16, 7l behind Backsideup (11-7) at Listowel 2m mdn hdl gd in Sept.
Cottingham (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up and keen in mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, pecked, kept on, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Fantastic Arts (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Corker 14-1 (11-0) Hung badly right, led and jumped badly right 2nd, ran very wide and ran out at the 4th in race won by Once A Brownie (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Inn For The Dancer 3-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, not quicken, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Norton Sapphire (9-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Golden Square 100-1 (9-9) Always in rear, 8th of 13, 21l behind Mahogany Blaze (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Knocker Jock (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Keen hold, raced wide, chased leaders, hit 3rd, mistake 6th, keeping on one pace when hit 2 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Coppermalt (10-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
David's Symphony (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 7th, 14th of 18, well behind Pseudonym (10-11) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Joli Classical (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Held up, blundered 4th, headway 6th, stayed on well to lead flat, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Beauchamp Star (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Falkenauge (GER) 6-1 (10-0) Mid-division, 5th 5 out, 3rd after 3 out, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Ilringuback (11-0) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdle gs in Nov.
