led, driven over 4f out, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt, always behind, tailed off
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon challenged, stayed on strongly final furlong
held up in touch, chased leader over 6f out, effort well over 1f out, not pace of winner
Lava Steps is bound to be popular with backers following an improved effort over course and distance last time when a close second behind Time Brook that saw him raised 10lbs by the handicapper and he has to be respected but marginal preference is for IN SECRET, who gets the nod over Too Tall. Tim Vaughan's colt has been placed in each of his last four starts, latterly when second to Why Nee Amy in a Kempton claimer when trained by Jim Boyle, and he has to be considered on his Fibresand debut. Barney Curley's Sure Fire disappointed when a short-priced favourite for his only start in a bumper at Plumpton in October and showed only a modicum of ability on his flat racing debut at Lingfield last month but any market support for him would be of interest. John Dunlop's In Secret has become expensive to follow but the daughter of Dalakhani should be suited by the step up in trip and she looks worth one final chance in a race that should not take much winning. Firsaan looks the best of the remainder.
Sure Fire (GER) 6-1 (9-9) Slowly away, in rear, pushed along over 2f out, kept on never nearer, 6th of 11, 5l behind Red Hot Desert (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Aquapark 200-1 (9-3) Prominent to halfway, soon in rear, 17th of 18, 23l behind Primaeval (9-3) at Redcar 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Oct.
Frankie Falco 150-1 (10-9) Prominent in chasing group, behind final 5f, last of 14, well behind Jaques Vert (10-12) at Warwick 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Lava Steps (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Raced wide in touch, joined leaders going well over 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 2f out, joined inside final furlong, driven , ran on and headed post, 2nd of 11, ns behind Time Book (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
In Secret 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leading pair, chased winner 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Troopingthecolour (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Firsaan (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) In rear, weakened halfway, behind final 4f, 8th of 11, well behind Time Book (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Too Tall 11-8fav (9-9) Tracked leading trio, headway into 3rd just after halfway, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, driven into narrow lead near finish, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind Why Nee Amy (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f app clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Nov.
