It's a long time since Captain Haddock won a race but he showed his liking for testing ground at Newbury ten days ago and has no problems with the trip. Allemande makes her handicap debut after just three starts and may lack the experience for this but CLANSMAN, who has won over much shorter here, was well suited by heavy ground when scoring over 1m5f at Ayr and a 3lb rise looks manageable. Red Derek stays the trip though both career victories have come over 1m2f while Sociologist is back on the same mark as his last success.
Captain Haddock (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 4f out, went 2nd and every chance over 2f out until winner quickened away inside final 2f, plugged on in 2nd, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Mrs Meader (10-10) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Havaila (IRE) 10-3 (9-5) Raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 7 1/4l behind Mugader (9-8) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Allemande 4-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, nudged along over 5f out, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace to go second inside final furlong, no match for winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Hexameter (8-13) at Ripon 1m 4f stks (5) gd in Sep.
Simulation Theory (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, plugged on thereafter, 4th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Can't Stop Now (9-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Clansman 14-1 (9-13) In touch, headway 4f out, ridden to chase leader, over 1f out, stayed to lead close home, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (6) hvy in Oct beating Belle Of Annandale (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Red Derek 9-1 (8-12) Made all, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and joined from over 1f out, driven out gamely, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Oct beating Mustazeed (10-1) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Paramaribo (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Held up rear of mid-division, some headway under pressure over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, 9th of 18, 10 1/4l behind Topanticipation (9-8) at York 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Bonne Vitesse (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 3f out when no immediate response, driven and stayed on from 2f out, never a factor, 4th of 5, 9 1/4l behind Hellenista (8-8) at Ripon 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Lopes Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Led, headed after 1f, disputed lead again 7f out, pushed along 4f out, weakened quickly from 2f out, last of 6, 17 1/4l behind Glen Cove (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Crafty Lady 50-1 (9-2) Midfield, ducked left on bend after 1f, headway 3f out, pushed along to challenge over 2f out, faded over 1f out, 9th of 13, 14 1/4l behind One Evening (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn fll stks (5) pol in Oct.
Sociologist (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Handy, led halfway, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Contrast (11-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Embolden (IRE) 80-1 (9-9) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Heatherdown Hero (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
