behind and soon lost touch, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on well under pressure from next, nearest finish
in touch, led briefly before 5th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out
led to before 5th, outpaced 3 out, beaten when mistake next
held up mid-division, headway 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and stayed on well from next
chased leaders, reminders after 4th, challenged next, lost place 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
tracked leader, led after 5th, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, no impression when hit last
behind, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression
held up, steady headway after 5th, effort 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last
Dolans Bay can get recent losses back at the expense of San Peire, Highland Games and Green 'n' Gold to name but a few. Dolans Bay beat subsequent winner Parkinson at Carlisle in November and was then sent off favourite to follow up at Ayr next time, but looked set for a place only when unseating his rider after being hampered two out. He was fancied again at Towcester last time but was much too keen and had nothing left for the gruelling finish, so hopefully a bit more restraint today, especially on this ground, will see him home. That Parkinson form is as good as anything else on show, so he gets the vote. San Peire is a standing dish at Sedgefield, with 15 of his last 16 racecourse appearances being here, and although not particularly well-handicapped, he lines up fresher than most, having had just two outings since March. Highland Games ran a blinder on his first start for Evan Williams at Chepstow a fortnight ago, looking the likely winner on the home turn before fading in the straight. This slight drop back in trip should help, and he looks a threat. Green 'n' Gold has his fair share of weight, and course-and-distance winner Welsh Dream has gone off the boil lately, so Dolans Bay is preferred in an open race.
San Peire (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, hung left and one pace approaching last, never on terms, 4th of 11, 22l behind Zaffie Parson (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Green 'n' Gold 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Vicario (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Welsh Dream 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Kempski (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Highland Games (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, joined leader 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 17, 8l behind The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Cha Cha Cha Dancer 20-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, reminders and struggling from 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Malay (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Apr, 11 ran.
Dolans Bay (IRE) 15-8fav (9-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 9l behind Blaze Ahead (10-6) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Lago 14-1 (10-12) Held up, behind when fell at the 4th in race won by Solid As A Rock (10-7) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Political Cruise 10-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 6th, blundered next, never dangerous, 8th of 20, 25l behind Em's Royalty (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Lazy Lena (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 14l behind Andrea Gale (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Led to 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Last Viking (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
