slowly into stride, behind, never a factor
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f
in touch, chased along halfway, driven over 1f, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
made virtually all, driven over 1f, ran on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, effort when not much room and hampered over 1f, switched right and ran on final furlong
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
dwelt, soon chasing leaders, driven over 1f, kept on final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f, soon beaten
prominent, ridden along halfway, edged left under pressure over 1f, no extra inside final furlong
jumped left at start, always in rear
Nonrunner
This is no easy task for HIGHLAND WARRIOR, who has to shoulder top weight, but we'll give him the nod ahead of Tyrannosaurus Rex. The selection is getting a bit long in the tooth but retains a decent level of ability and is a specialist over this trip. He acts well on slower ground on turf, so there is hope that he might take to the Fibresand on his first attempt after 95 starts on grass and we will side with him. Tyrannosaurus Rex won over this trip at Nottingham in August from a 7lb lower mark but is entitled to go close again here. Gleaming Spirit went well last time at Catterick and from the same mark he should be thereabouts, while course and distance winner Steel City Boy has crept back up in the weights but remains competitive. Our Acquaintance has the ability to be in the shake-up if taking to the surface from what is a decent mark, but for today we'll take Highland Warrior to outbattle them.
Highland Warrior 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, soon no extra, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Roker Park (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Count Cougar (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, edged left under pressure from over 1f out, never able to challenge, 8th of 10, 7l behind Figaro Flyer (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcap (5) fbs in May.
Nickel Silver 5-1jt-fav (8-11) In touch, chased leaders over 1f out, one pace, 9th of 13, 4l behind Cape Royal (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Oct.
Incomparable 14-1 (9-1) Taken to post early, tracked leaders, ridden half way, no extra final furlong, 7th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Guto (7-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Our Acquaintance 25-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden along 2f out, not quickened and outpaced over 1f out, 9th of 13, 8l behind Stand In Flames (8-7) at Windsor 6f clm (6) gf in Oct.
Colorus (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) With leaders, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 8l behind Joyeaux (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Tyrannosaurus Rex (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, ridden halfway, driven and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Spoof Master (8-13) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.
Liberty Ship 14-1 (9-2) Towards rear, chased leaders halfway, kept on, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Joyeaux (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Gleaming Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Held up and keen, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held on towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Godfrey Street (9-0) at Catterick 5f clm (6) hvy.
Monte Cassino (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Chased leaders over 4f, 12th of 14, 13l behind Megalo Maniac (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Head To Head (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) Dwelt, soon outpaced until stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 15, 8l behind Wicked Wilma (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcap (6) hvy in Sept.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 4-1fav (8-10) Taken to post early, swerved right start, led, ridden 2f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1l behind Guto (7-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
