in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden along half way, some late headway, never troubled leaders
led, headed over 3f out, remained in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, led over 3f out, driven 2f out, hung left and kept on final furlong
slowly into stride and always rear division
towards rear, never a factor
Zabeel House will be popular after a win last time but we will oppose him here with Shifty, while Only A Grand is another contender. The selection loves it around here and has two wins at each of seven furlongs and a mile. Now dropped to a mark of 52, the handicapper finally appears to have relented and we should get on while we have the opportunity as he has a very good chance at these weights. Zabeel House, on the other hand, does not win too often and although scoring at Wolverhampton last time, a 6lb rise here plus a different track and trip make him opposable with a record of two wins from 23 starts. Only A Grand was an impressive winner here on slow ground a couple of weeks ago and ran well with a penalty next time. He should again go very well but a 2lb rise for not winning makes him less appealing at present. Of the others Ella Y Rossa has dropped back to a good mark if handling this surface and would be interesting if supported, while Ruffie may be a more serious threat and is weighted to finish quite close to the selection on their running here last March. Even so, Shifty is in good heart now and can take advantage of the handicapper's New Year present.
Zabeel House 9-1 (9-0) Held up, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Dec beating Winged Farasi (8-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Naledi 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead and swerved left over 2f out, headed 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 9l behind Dado Mush (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Ella Y Rossa 10-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression, 8th of 12, 3l behind Just Intersky (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Only A Grand 4-1 (8-7) Towards rear and reminders halfway, headway over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Dado Mush (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Shifty 4-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort when not much room over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Meeting of Minds (8-9) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Ruffie (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven and every chance over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 12, 7l behind Meeting of Minds (8-9) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Wodhill Gold 20-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, no danger after, 5th of 13, 9l behind Ochre (11-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Montemayorprincess (IRE) 28-1 (8-5) Prominent, effort 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 4th of 13, 5l behind Rigat (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Royal Orissa 8-1 (8-10) Raced wide, in rear, pushed along half way, ridden and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 6l behind The Salwick Flyer (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Cove Mountain (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on moderately, 4th of 9, 10l behind Sir Sandicliffe (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
