tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, driven and one pace before next, no impression when lost 2nd last
tracked leaders, driven before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
behind, struggling 6th, never near leaders
led, headed after 6th, outpaced in 3rd before 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd last, no impression with winner
in touch on outside, driven 3 out, kept on same pace, weakened last
mid-division, weakened 3 out
mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, driven before 3 out, kept on same pace form next, never on terms
pressed leader, led after 6th, driven before 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
held up, always in rear
Blake Dean is the obvious one in this opener having won easily over course and distance last month before finishing second at Hexham. But he has been raised a further 7lb, which is a worry, and there's a good chance that MIDNIGHT REQUEST will show improvement now tackling low-grade handicaps. He has been taking on decent opposition in his three runs to date. Prince Freddie has finished second twice here recently but has a lot to find to overturn form with Blake Dean while the remainder already look exposed.
La Belle Sauvage 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 14, 16l behind Koolala (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Stag Hill (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In touch, blundered and dropped to mid-division 2nd, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 11, 7l behind Great Link (11-3) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd.
Midnight Request 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 11th of 16, 39l behind Going Concern (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Blake Dean 8-11fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, led after 2nd, headed before last, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Morning Time (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Young Lou 66-1 (10-0) Towards rear, slow jump 1st, ridden and struggling after 5th, 10th of 14, 37l behind Swinging Hawk (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Ata Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went poor 3rd 3 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 37l behind Separate Shadows (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Cool Bob (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) In rear, not fluent 3rd, headway before 8th, not much room well before 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 48l behind Kings Apollo (10-1) at Ludlow 2m 5f am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Prince Freddie 9-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway before 6th, chased winner before 3 out, no impression next, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Proud Times (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Kozmina Bay 33-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden and lost place 5th, soon behind, last of 9, well behind Lost In Newyork (9-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Photogenique (FR) 20-1 (9-9) In rear, lost touch 5th, late headway 2 out, driven and kept on from last, nearest finish, 5th of 7, 17l behind My Oh Mount Brown (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Drummond 33-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, challenged after 4th, not fluent next, lost place before 3 out, 5th of 9, 26l behind Lost In Newyork (9-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
