towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish
tracked leader, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, kept on and headed towards finish
held up behind, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened final furlong
NonRunner
DARK CONFIDANT joined Richard Fahey in November and promptly won twice, here and at Kempton. He looks the type to progress through the ranks and Paul Hanagan arrives for the ride, his only booked mount at the fixture. Cliff has done brilliantly since turning to Tapeta, scoring twice and finishing a close second four times here and at Newcastle. He's up to a high mark now but Lewis Edmunds rode him last time and his claim will help again. Billyoakes is rarely beaten far and has won off higher marks in the past so he's respected while Athletic has dropped to a lowly mark but hasn't won since the summer of 2015. Papou Tony hasn't had much experience and has been running over further but could be suited by the drop in trip while Rebel Lightning is better than he showed here last time and doesn't have a bad record around here.
Cliff (IRE) 5-6fav (9-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, led post, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Kenstone (9-4) by hd, 9 ran.
Rebel Lightning (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Raced wide, close up, headway to press leader 4f out, ridden and weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Gold Flash (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Billyoakes (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no extra and lost two places close home, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Bridge Builder (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Masamah (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and ran towards finish, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bridge Builder (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Langham 9-1 (9-5) Pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, lost place entering final furlong, 6th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Nag's Wag (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp fll (5) pol in Aug.
Dominium (USA) 4-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dream Farr (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Captain Bob (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 17, 6 1/4l behind My Dad Syd (8-8) at Newbury 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Papou Tony 9-1 (9-4) Raced wide, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Saleh (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Win Lose Draw (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Safe Voyage (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Dark Confidant (IRE) 5-1fav (9-3) In touch, switched right over 1f out, headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating For Shia And Lula (9-6) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Athletic 11-4fav (9-4) Behind, driven and headway on outside over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, took 2nd near finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Fire Diamond (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Smokethatthunders (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Raced wide, held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Gold Flash (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.
