held up and keen, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous
led, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out
in touch on outer, weakened 2f out
held up, weakened over 1f out
close up, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, just held
close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and weakened entering final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, no impression
held up, pushed along and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
held up, stayed on final furlong, took 3rd inside final furlong
ONCEUPONATIME can get punters off to a successful start and he is taken to get the better of Billy Red and Bel Cantor. The selection has only been narrowly beaten on each of his last three starts and he still remains well treated as he has won off a higher mark than this in the past on the turf. His last win came here and he can get his reward today for a string of consistent efforts. Billy Red has got course and distance form and he is another who has been knocking at the door of late. He is pretty consistent and off his current mark he should be capable of getting competitive again. Bel Cantor has the worst of the draw so he may be worth leaving out of calculations today, despite an encouraging effort last time. Divinsky normally reserves his best form for Kempton and he shows his best when he is allowed to dictate the pace from the front. His high draw is therefore a negative as it will make it difficult for him to make the running. Misaro has the plum draw but his last couple of runs have been a bit disappointing and others are preferred here. Onceuponatime is in good form and he can get his head in front.
Bosun Breese 20-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 12, 9l behind Gilt Edge Girl (8-8) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Billy Red 8-1 (9-1) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Imprimis Tagula (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Bel Cantor 20-1 (8-12) Led, took keen hold, headed over 4f out, remained pressing winner, every chance throughout final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, shd behind Snow Bay (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Methaaly (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Lujeanie (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Misaro (GER) 15-2 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Capone (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Weet A Surprise 4-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Dash Back (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dvinsky (USA) 6-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3l behind Tiddliwinks (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Kersivay 4-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Tourist (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Sanjay's Choice (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and one pace straight, 9th of 12, 5l behind Lord Kenmare (9-9) at Dundalk 1m Apprentice Handicap (50-80) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Apache Ridge (IRE) 3-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Bobbie Soxer (9-1) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-80 (5) gf in May.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 9-4fav (8-4) Keen hold, prominent, chased winner well over 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, nk behind Harlech Castle (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Fazbee (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway to dispute 3rd over 1f out, driven and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Sutton Veny (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Perlachy 13-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Anne Of Kiev (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
