raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no threat to leading pair
tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 2f out, stayed on, readily
set steady pace, quickened pace over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace
raced wide, in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
close up, pushed along 6f out, weakened 2f out
The smart hurdler Quel Destin returned to the Flat in October with a victory at Bath. He's run well over fences since but faces a tough task today up against the progressive and versatile SOCIAL CITY. The latter has rattled up a four-timer over various distances on the all-weather tracks, including a double on this surface, and a further 6lb rise may not be enough to end the winning streak. Newcastle winner Ravenscar has held her form well subsequently and Sea Of Mystery finished runner-up over 1m6f here last time but Thawry has plenty to find with the selection while Severus Alexander has been in poor form over timber.
Social City 10-11fav (10-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, heavily eased last 100 yards, very easily, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Mr Carbonator (9-0) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Quel Destin (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden after 12th, beaten after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Ravenscar (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Disputed lead early, soon prominent, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra close home, 4th of 9, 3l behind Manjaam (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Severus Alexander (IRE) 125-1 (11-7) Led until 6th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sea Of Mystery (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway out wide chasing leaders 8f out, hung left and went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, well held, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Heron (8-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Thawry 9-2 (9-7) Led and set steady pace, headed 5f out, soon dropped to 3rd, outpaced in 4th over 3f out, plugged on into modest 3rd again close home, 3rd of 5, 7 1/4l behind Social City (10-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.