chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, always behind
led after 1f, headed over 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out
led for 1f, tracked leaders, keen, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased winner well inside final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, led over 4f out, driven clear final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out until well inside final furlong, one pace
Three Boars is effective over this trip but the feeling is that this mark of 76 may just be pushing the limit, and so preference is for Noble Plum who is on the upgrade; Kylkenny can not be ruled out along with Bentley Brook. The selection was a ready winner over course and distance just eight days ago and a 6lb penalty may not be enough to anchor him today. He looks a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver and having brushed aside Bentley Brook last time, a similar fate awaits today. The last-named is fairly consistent but there is no real reason why he should be winning this from just out of the handicap. Maslak, Victory Quest and Calculating are all consistent and it would be no surprise to see any winning, whilst Kanisorn and Pass The Port also bring winning course and distance form to the fight. Kylkenny has surely qualified for a residents permit given the number of times he has raced here, yet he keeps churning out good performances and if he were to win it would bring the house down. A really open race, but Noble Plum may be the class act in the field.
Pass The Port 7-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, unable to challenge, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Wicked Daze (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Kanisorn (SWE) 4-6fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, hung right over 2f out, clear over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs beating Devilfishpoker Com (8-13) by 10l, 6 ran.
Kylkenny 7-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to challenge 3f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Bentley Brook (8-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Three Boars 15-8jt-fav (9-7) Held up, headway on bit over 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (5) fbs beating Jackie Kiely (9-9) by 2l, 5 ran.
Turn Of Phrase (IRE) 100-1 (7-9) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 20th of 21, 46l behind Malt Or Mash (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Nov.
Noble Plum (IRE) 2-1 (9-4) Held up, raced keenly, headway to lead over 3f out, soon ridden clear, eased near finish, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Bentley Brook (8-8) by 5l, 6 ran.
Trachonitis (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 10, 11l behind Wicked Daze (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Victory Quest (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Noble Plum (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Calculating (IRE) 8-11fav (9-3) Tracked leader, shaken up to lead 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs beating Flight Dream (9-6) by 9l, 7 ran.
Maslak (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Bentley Brook (8-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, every chance over 3f out, hung left 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Noble Plum (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
