chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, led after 2f, ridden clear 2f out, just held
held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never in contention
held up mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish
held up towards rear, steady headway over 5f out, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
slowly into stride, settled mid-division, behind final 4f
led early and keen, in touch until ridden 4f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 5f out, switched right 2f out, ridden, chased winner final furlong, just failed
held up rear, headway 3f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
Most of these are a little out of form and so it could rest between Midnight Creek, and Little Richard who both ran well last time out, preference is for the last named, with Top Trees the each-way selection. Little Richard has form over all types of distances and wasn't beaten far behind Michael's Dream last time. This is a pretty weak affair and that form could be good enough. Midnight Creek finished second over the two mile trip at Southwell back in October, and followed that with a decent run over hurdles. He looks set for some place money this afternoon. Top Trees has solid form on this course and could go well at decent odds. The pick of the others could be Ice And Fire, but on this occasion we will take a chance with little Richard.
Airgusta (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept from over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sovereign Spirit (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol.
Desert Hawk 12-1 (8-12) Started slowly, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, not clear run, unable eased inside final furlong, 11th of 20, 6l behind Lord Chamberlain (9-0) at Goodwood 1m clm hcap (6) gf in Sept.
Midnight Creek 6-1 (9-12) In touch, lost ground after 5f, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Woolstone Boy (9-10) at Southwell 2m stk (7) fbs in Oct.
Ice And Fire 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4l behind Sovereign Spirit (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol.
Coppermalt (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Tipes (8-10) at Lingfield 2m stk (7) pol.
Claradotnet 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, stumbled after 2f, ridden, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Michaels Dream (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (7) pol.
Little Richard (IRE) 5-1co-fav (9-4) Keen, in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Michaels Dream (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (7) pol.
Top Trees 5-1co-fav (9-1) Keen, mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 11l behind Michaels Dream (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (7) pol.
