led, joined when mistake 2 out, soon headed, kept trying gamely, still every chance flat, held close home
chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
chased leader, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd 4th, ridden and weakening when fell 3 out
in rear, jumped left 2nd, pushed along next, mistake 4th, soon driven and well behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway when not fluent 4th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, soon led, still pressed flat, driven out
mistakes in mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off
mid-division, took keen hold, mistake 4th, weakened next, hampered 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until mistake 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 5th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, mistake 4th, weakened after next, tailed off
held up in rear, pecked 2nd, ridden after 4th, some headway when hampered 3 out, stayed on flat, never nearer
held up towards rear on outside, weakening when hit 5th, mistake 3 out, soon pulled up
The Mark Tompkins-trained Akula has to give weight away all round here as he carries a penalty for his win at Ludlow last month and that will make things tougher for him so a better bet may be John Flint's JOLLY ROGER, who has only had two runs on the flat and made a pleasing hurdling debut when a close third at Warwick at the beginning of the month. Pam Sly's Kayaan is an interesting newcomer to the winter game and any market support for him would be of interest, while Viviani was capable on the level and has to be respected for Amanda Perrett. Gary Moore's Il Portico has earned a rating of 102 and has to be considered along with Lawney Hill's Royal Etiquette but Jolly Roger is preferred.
Akula (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, clear next, not fluent last, kept on well, won at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Caracal (10-12) by 12l, 11 ran.
Dream Spinner 20-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, 12th of 14, 32l behind Iron Condor (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep (flat).
Groove Master 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 5th, stumbled next, blundered 3 out, weakened before next, mistake last, 4th of 11, 41l behind Palawi (10-12) at Haydock 2m juv hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Il Portico 2-1fav (10-12) Raced wide in touch, headway 5th, chased leaders after next, went 2nd under pressure 3 out until hung left next, soon no extra, 4th of 14, 20l behind Zakeeta (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f juv hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Jolly Roger (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Took keen hold early, not much room and went right 1st, chased leading pair, chased winner before and hit 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd last, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Pantxoa (11-5) at Warwick 2m juv hdl (4) gd.
Polebrook 100-1 (10-12) Rider lost iron when mistake and hampered 1st, soon pulled up, in a race won by Pullyourfingerout (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f juv hdl (4) sft, 13 ran.
Royal Etiquette (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led and green in front, clear after 3rd until before 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Until The Man (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Viviani (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Chased leading pair until 6f out, stayed in 4th, went 3rd again over 2f out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Sula Two (9-7) at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Anaya 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway to chase leader over 5f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4l behind Swansea Jack (9-0) at Kempton 7f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Flyinflyout 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 18l behind Lady Of Garmoran (8-8) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Jul (flat).
Jinksy Minx 40-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, eased, 7th of 9, 35l behind Dolatulo (11-5) at Sandown 2m juv hdl (4) gs.
Mororless 66-1 (8-4) Always in rear, never a factor, 9th of 12, 19l behind Finch Flyer (8-10) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Frequency 50-1 (10-9) Held up behind, mistake and rider lost irons 2nd, pulled up before next, in a race won by Pullyourfingerout (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f juv hdl (4) sft, 13 ran.
Kayaan 7-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 14, 5l behind Sovento (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct (flat).
