with leader, led 7th, ridden after 4 out, drew clear after next, kept on
made most to 7th, chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, lost place before 5 out, soon behind
chased leaders, dropped to rear 4th, reminders and struggling after next, lost touch 7th, soon pulled up
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced next, ridden and weakened between last 2
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, ridden 2 out, never on terms, weakened flat
behind, struggling before 5 out, headway under pressure before 2 out, ridden and stayed on into 3rd flat, no impression
held up in touch, challenged 4 out, outpaced after next, no impression with front pair from 2 out, lost 3rd flat
in touch on outer, lost place 4 out, no impression from next
slowly away and early reminders, behind most of way, lost touch after 7th, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon ridden, kept on, no impression with winner
Wake Your Dreams was knocking on the door in the spring but lacks a recent run and has risen in the weights again. Desert Retreat had shown little before his second at Leicester and steps up in distance again here. HANDSOME SAM (NAP) wasn’t disgraced on his reappearance at Doncaster and has conditions more in his favour today. He is probably the one to beat, though it would be no surprise to see Quinto go well as his latest fifth at Exeter suggests he’s back on a decent mark. Saint John Henry can reverse running in February here with Extreme Impact and looks best of the rest.
Saint John Henry (FR) 11-1 (11-13) Led, pushed along before 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 6th of 11, dist behind Bryden Boy (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Wake Your Dreams (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, ridden and rider dropped whip before 2 out, pressed flat, headed close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Sinbad The Sailor (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
The Artful Cobbler 11-1 (11-2) Held up behind, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Ami Desbois (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Alpha Victor (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Presence Felt (11-7) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Handsome Sam 6-1 (11-5) In touch towards rear, closed 7th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, went 3rd last, took 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Lough Derg Leader (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Bodega 25-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, ridden and effort on outside before 3 out, no impression, soon weakened, 8th of 14, dist behind Florrie Boy (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Desert Retreat (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, 2nd last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Gray Day (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gd in Dec.
Mogestic (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and struggling 4 out, 14th of 15, dist behind Behind Time (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Vedani (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Led until pushed along and headed 3 out, chased leaders, weakened next, 7th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Kalondra (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Quinto 20-1 (11-4) Held up behind, outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace and no impression, 5th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Desert Sensation (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Extreme Impact 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear and driven along, reminders before 5th, weakened from 5 out, 6th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Babeny Bridge (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Giveitachance (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 17 1/2l behind Yur Next (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Dec.
