always prominent, led over 4f out until headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up on outside, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led after 2f, headed 4f out, weakened quickly
slowly into stride but soon led, headed after 2f, in touch until ridden and headway to lead 2f out, wandered in front, kept on well
always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, well behind
chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
prominent, with leader for 3f, settled in touch, ridden to chase leader 1f out, always held
Circumspect gets the vote over Zalimar and Ifit, with the market best watched for the likes of Mr Rein and The Last Sabo. The last named pair both see the racecourse for the first time, but their respective trainers are both adept at getting one ready, especially Jamie Osborne, responsible for Mr Rein. However, on this occasion, with the step up in trip to suit, there is no reason why Circumspect should not run a big race. The son of Spectrum made his debut in an incident-packed race at Pontefract in September when having to avoid a fallen horse, and in the circumstances did well to finish as close as he did to the winner. He also shaped very well on his return to action on his all-weather debut here last month, finding only Limit a head too good, and on breeding, this longer journey can only be to his advantage. Limit's trainer Mick Channon saddles a possible danger in Ifit who was disappointing when dropped to claiming company on her latest outing at Redcar in October. The switch to this surface may be the answer, and she should eventually open her account. Zalimar has already raced twice here in her short career and is another that can benefit from a step up in trip. The best claims appear to be held by Circumspect though and can give the in-form Pat Haslam another winner
