towards rear, pushed along halfway, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish
dwelt, soon mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
never better than mid-division
prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
soon led, headed over 4f out, remained in touch, ridden along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
behind, never a factor
Norwegian showed improved form to win a banded contest last time out and can go in again in this better company, Vibrato and Penwell Hill look to be the main dangers. For the class of contest that Wolverhampton race was quite competitive and Norwegian landed it in fair style. He cruised into the lead a furlong out and just tired in the last strides. The drop in trip looks ideal and he looks set for a follow up success. Vibrato also returned to winning ways last time out, landing a course and distance handicap. In the process he landed a few nice bets so if the money flows again take note. Penwell Hill put in his best performance for some time when chasing home the easy winner Formidable Will here last time and could go close with a similar effort today. The pick of the others could be Wodhill Gold, but Norwegian appears back to his best and must go close off his low weight.
Vibrato (USA) 6-1 (8-6) Dwelt, headway to chase leaders 3f out, carried head high and every chance from well over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec beating Legal Lover (8-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Tee Jay Kassidy 9-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 6l behind Vibrato (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Granakey (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Special Place (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Weet For Ever (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, always behind, 12th of 13, 26l behind Street Life (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Drink To Me Only 18-1 (9-0) Mid-division, one pace final 2f, 8th of 14, 6l behind Sapphire Storm (8-7) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Grand Palace (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Prominent, every chance, no extra when not much room final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Golden Spectrum (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Wodhill Gold 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders to over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 14, 5l behind Majehar (8-11) at Kempton 1m banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
Norwegian 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Dec beating Weet Yer Tern (9-0) by a hd, 12 ran.
