keen hold, led after 1f, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led post
prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept out
led early, soon tracking leaders, outpaced 2f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, headed close home
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, effort over 1f out, soon one pace
soon outpaced and behind, headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner
Another competitive heat where the vote just goes to R WOODY, while Six Wives can go close and Clifton Bridge is much respected. The last-named is saddled by Ralph Beckett, who is not accustomed to wasting his efforts keeping runners going in the winter without a decent chance of success. In the case of this Avonbridge gelding, success came last time out over this trip in a Wolverhampton maiden, and the handicapper was impressed enough to hand him a mark of 79 for this handicap introduction. He looks set to go very well and his presence is a concern to our selection. Six Wives is weighted to have a decent chance of reversing form with Lucky Mellor, who also comes here in good shape, but who may not have what it takes to win a race like this from a mark of 80. Sakile has been put up 9lbs for winning a maiden here that has worked out well and looks capable of making a bold bid on his own handicap introduction. Athwaab meets the selection on the same terms as when beaten by him last time and has a stiffish task, so we will side with R Woody. Linda Jewell has got her inmates firing well just lately and this gelding put up an excellent effort in defeat at Wolverhampton on Tuesday. He has acted on Kempton's Polytrack, although is yet to try it here, but this trip is ideal and narrow preference is with him.
Lucky Mellor 6-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, joined leader going well over 1f out, shaken up to lead and hung left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec beating Six Wives (9-6) by 3l, 6 ran.
Clifton Bridge 6-1 (9-3) Made most, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Praesepe (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Sakile 3-1 (8-12) Quickly away, made all, ridden and hung right over 1f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Youcanalwaysdream (8-12) by hd, 8 ran.
R Woody 11-4 (9-4) Went slightly right start, led 1f, chased leaders, led again well over 1f out, soon ridden and edged right, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Lewyn (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Six Wives 5-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, not clear run briefly over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 11l behind Wanchai Whisper (8-7) at Kempton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Athwaab 7-4fav (9-0) Bumped slightly start, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Lewyn (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
