led, driven over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd towards finish
behind, switched outside and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders
mid-division, driven 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced inside final 2f, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
early reminders, chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure, no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, kept on
in rear, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leader on stand side rail, driven over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner
chased leader, effort to challenge over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th final 75 yards
Hazelrigg didn't run very well at York on Thursday but remains well enough treated to make his presence felt and Steps won off a higher mark than this at Newmarket in July. However, both he and Bosun Breeze were behind Pearl Blue at York in October and the winner will enjoy the surface today so has to be on the short-list. Forest Edge scored at Wolverhampton and Chester over today's trip but took an early bump and was well beaten when tackling 7f at Chester a couple of days later. He holds NOBLE STORM on that second victory but the latter was having his first start since September and, as he's a regular performer at Listed level and is on his lowest mark since 2010, he can defy his big weight and land this. Kyleakin Lass looks the main threat as she very nearly won a tough Goodwood handicap a fortnight ago.
Noble Storm (USA) 9-1 (9-6) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on leading duo, weakened to 4th final 50 yards, 4th of 13, 4l behind Forest Edge (8-6) at Chester 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Kyleakin Lass 14-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in last pair, switched right well over 1f out, squeezed through and strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards and closed on winner, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Duke Of Firenze (9-3) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Pearl Blue (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Held up, switched right over 1f out, headway inside final furlong, led final 75 yards, ran on, won at York 5f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct beating Captain Dunne (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Naabegha 9-1 (9-7) Raced keenly, chased leaders, went 2nd approaching final 3f, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 4l behind Duke Of Firenze (9-3) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Forest Edge (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Bumped soon after start, mid-division, driven and rider dropped whip over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 13l behind Dr Red Eye (9-3) at Chester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Steps (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in touch on rail, no impression when hung right 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Duke Of Firenze (9-3) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Hazelrigg (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 2f out, 13th of 15, 8l behind Ancient Cross (8-10) at York 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Bosun Breese 25-1 (9-2) Led far side group, ridden over 1f out, headed by far side group inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 9th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Bedloe's Island (9-4) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
First In Command (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Steadied and not much room after start, held up in rear, plenty to do when switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Blanc De Chine (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
