outpaced, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left and no extra inside final furlong
always towards rear
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on to lead close home
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed close home
held up, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, switched right 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace when switched right inside final furlong
always towards rear
with leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
Thurlestone Rock showed signs of a return to form last time and can pay to support here ahead of Blue Empire, Lockstock and Tee Jay Kassidy. Brian Meehan's five-year-old Thurlestone Rock has done all his winning over six furlongs, but showed enough over the course and distance last time to suggest that he is worth persevering with. Despite racing a bit too keenly, he stuck to his task well in the closing stages to finish just over half-a-length behind Outer Hebrides, and a similar effort today should put him in the shake-up. Blue Empire showed up well behind Trifti here eight days ago and will be fancied to get losses back, but he has become hard to win with. However, he should certainly turn the tables on Lockstock on these revised terms, and makes more appeal than Tee Jay Kassidy who returns from a break. He excels on the fibresand surface at Southwell but showed he can do it on the Polytrack as well when scoring at Lingfield in December. For the winner we return to Thurlestone Rock.
Andaluza (IRE) 10-3fav Midfield, effort on inner, over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 3l behind Distant Connection at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (D) gf in May.
Merdiff 6-1 In touch, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Soviet Threat at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol.
Imco Sasihill (IRE) 11-2 Soon pushed along towards rear, headway approaching 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 3l behind Byo at Southwell 5f hcp (E3) fbs.
Blue Empire (IRE) 3-1fav Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Trifti at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol.
The Number 6-1 Pulled hard, soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 8l behind Barzak at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (E3) pol in Feb.
Lockstock (IRE) 9-2 Always prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, no extra when headed final 20 yards, 2nd of 12, hd behind Trifti at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol.
Tee Jay Kassidy 11-4fav Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 12, 7l behind King Nicholas at Southwell 1m hcp (F4) fbs in Dec.
Thurlestone Rock 16-1 Took keen hold, tracked leader until over 4f out, remained close up, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Outer Hebrides at W'hampton 7f hcp (D2) pol.
