tracked leaders and keen, led 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well
with leader after 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly away, in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
led 1f and keen, headed final furlong, soon weakened
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden on outer 1f out, kept on, no extra towards finish
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on inner over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held
Nonrunner
Mr Fantozzi is bound to be popular with backers having shown improved form in a handicap last time but that was on the Fibresand at Southwell and he seems to be better suited by that surface so looks worth taking on with DIVERTIMENTI, who gets the vote ahead of Hard Ball. Mick Quinn's gelding comes into this in fair form having won well at Southwell in December and again at the same venue last month but he is another that has to prove that he is as effective on the Polytrack so looks best watched. The Adrian McGuinness-trained Blue Cross Boy ran creditably behind Dhhamaan here last week and has to be considered along with Paul Howling's Pipers Piping, who has been showing some promise of late and has slipped to a fair mark. Richard Fahey's Megalo Maniac has disappointed of late and a better bet looks to be Roy Bowring's Divertimenti, who came back to form here over six furlongs last time and he will not be inconvenienced by the step up to seven.
Pipers Piping (IRE) 4-1fav (10-6) Slowly away, soon many lengths behind, headway when not clear run 1f out, kept on, 7th of 11, 6l behind Albero Di Giuda (10-5) at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Mr Fantozzi (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and rallied, every chance approaching final furlong, gradually weakened, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Bicksta (8-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-52 (6) fbs in Jan.
Brazilian Brush (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, never on terms, 8th of 12, 7l behind Miss Firefly (10-6) at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Hard Ball 11-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, driven and kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Whatyouwoodwishfor (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp (0-55) (6) fbs in Jan.
Divertimenti (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Led, hard ridden over 1f out, soon hung right under pressure, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind White Shift (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Sofonisba 16-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind Head First (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Motu (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 10l behind Upstairs (8-13) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Dec '08.
Megalo Maniac 11-1 (8-1) With leader, led over 2f out, soon hard driven, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Bicksta (8-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-52 (6) fbs in Jan.
Misterisland (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Wide, held up, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 11, 4l behind Albero Di Giuda (10-5) at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Blue Cross Boy (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon no impression, 8th of 11, 5l behind Dhhamaan (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Helpmeronda 100-1 (9-12) Led until over 7f out, chased leader until over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 29l behind Myplacelater (8-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol.
