prominent, mistake 3rd, led 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat
held up, headway 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, led after 7th, headed 8th, ridden next, weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden to lead 2 out, edged left near finish, driven out
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 7th
held up, headway 7th, pushed along next, soon weakened, pulled up next
held up in touch, tracked leaders 7th, weakened after 3 out
led to 1st, remained close up, led 5th, headed after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 8th, rallied approaching 3 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, every chance run-in, ran on
held up, headway to track leaders 5th, pushed along and weakened from 7th
tracked leaders and keen, pushed along and lost place approaching 5th, pulled up before 8th
Nonrunner
This extended three miles will take some getting and Kingsbay is preferred to Half Inch and Honey's Gift. Hughie Morrison's gelding looks the most likely of these to stay the trip as there are a number of runners here that are taking a marked step up in distance. Despite his pedigree, Kingsbay has stayed three miles around Uttoxeter in the past so that has to be a positive. Had his rider been similarly positive at Exeter last time out, he may have taken more of a hand in the finish. Half Inch is taking a step up in trip. He has largely been campaigned at two miles in the past but his supporters will point out that his trainer had a winner on Boxing Day. Honey's Gift does not lack for effort. She is exposed as modest and can handle any surface. Smathe's Ridge is open to some measure of improvement. Jim Old's team have landed the odd touch or two so the market is watched. Soft ground lover, Protagonist is best of the rest if he stays. A difficult start to the card and Kingsbay is nominated to minimal stakes.
Kings Bay 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 6th, stayed on steadily, went 2nd soon after last, 2nd of 19, 3l behind Kings Rock (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs.
Honey's Gift 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and effort after 7th, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 16l behind Silkwood Top (10-9) at Windsor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs.
Protagonist 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, kept on under pressure between last 2, 4th of 12, 5l behind Pardon What (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Half Inch 33-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 11, 35l behind Galtee View (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Oct.
Passenger Omar (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 8th, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on, all out, won at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in May '04 beating Esterelle (9-8) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cosi Celeste (FR) 33-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden and struggling after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Paddy Boy (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Razzamatazz 12-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 3rd, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Kitski (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov '04.
Smeathe's Ridge 12-1 (10-2) Held up, headway and mistake 9th, never troubled leaders, 4th of 15, 20l behind Moustique de L'Isle (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy.
Dr Mann (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent until approaching 4th, soon behind, 5th of 10, 22l behind Lord Gale (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Oct '04.
Dundridge Native 50-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 19l behind Thedreamstillalive (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gs.
Silver Gift 11-1 (9-9) Always in rear, weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, 31l behind Esters Boy (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Golden Tamesis 200-1 (11-0) Led to 5th, weakened 9th, no chance when mistake 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Society Buck (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gf in Apr '04.
Business Traveller (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, no impression, 7th of 13, 12l behind Diletia (10-3) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
