slowly into stride, soon prominent, driven to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear, well behind and struggling final 3f
behind, ridden halfway, moderate headway final furlong
took keen hold, held up in touch, effort and hung left from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
took keen hold, soon chasing leaders on inner, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard, led early, held up behind leaders, ridden to chase winner from 2f out, no impression final furlong
soon led, headed over 2f out, soon beaten
soon in touch, on outside, ridden over 2f out, no impression
Muscari gets a tentative vote over Ludovico, Davidia and Goose Chase, with George's Flyer another worth a mention. Muscari bids to get the losses back after her defeat in a fillies' handicap at Wolverhampton in October. She had battled her way to victory on Turf at Pontefract in September so has a bit of form to go on. The drop back in trip is probably not ideal, but this claimer should be well within her grasp and she is preferred to Ludovico. Kevin Ryan's charge looked one to follow when landing a class 4 handicap at Kempton in April but has gone well off the boil since. The ability is obviously there, so maybe it will emerge again in this lesser company. Davidia has a near six-month break to overcome, while George's Flyer is better than his bare form indicates. He just needs to be given a bit of respite by the handicapper, but in any case we shall side with Muscari.
Ludovico 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leader to over 2f out, gradually weakened, 8th of 14, 5l behind Marajaa (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
George's Flyer (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 12l behind Kildare Sun (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Davidia (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon edged left, weakened 2f out, 14th of 15, 22l behind Bella Fiorella (8-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Goose Chase 33-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in rear, effort on outside 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Hassaad (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Atlantic Viking (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Mid-division, came wide entering straight, soon behind, 9th of 12, 11l behind Atlantic Story (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol.
Muscari 4-1jt-fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Bavarica (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Fizzy Lizzy 25-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 6l behind Full Spate (9-13) at Chepstow 7f clm (6) gf in Jun.
Tackcoat (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Slowly away, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway well over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 13, 4l behind Wings Of Morning (8-8) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in May.