chased leaders, pushed along on outside 3f out, every chance 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
raced wide until headway to track leader after 1f, every chance 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, weakened just inside final furlong
led over 11f out, joined 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner after, well held but battled on to hold 2nd
took keen hold, soon held up in mid-division, ridden and no headway final 2f
restless in stalls, held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on same pace and no impression final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace and no impression inside final furlong
in touch, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ridden and battled on for 2nd last strides, no impression on winner
never better than mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led until over 11f out, settled 3rd soon after, led on inside over 1f out, pushed out, stayed on well
took keen hold in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on in closing stages, never nearer
slowly into stride, always behind
Since winning a 1m6f handicap at Lingfield in July SUSSEX RANGER (NAP) has been in superb form over hurdles, completing a double with a very easy victory at Sandown before narrowly beaten in the Grade 1 Finale at Chepstow. A mark of 76 back on the all-weather greatly underestimates his ability. Luv U Whatever has managed to win a dozen starts on the all-weather but has never really got close on this track while Sonnetist seems better at Southwell. Becca Campbell will have needed her comeback last month and has a first-time visor while Native Fighter won twice on Turf in Germany and has gone close in both starts at Lingfield for Simon Dow. He'll be winning soon and looks the main threat while Tidal Watch is on a lowly mark and looks the type to do better.
Sussex Ranger (USA) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leader apart from leading briefly 1st and 2nd, not fluent 3rd, led 3 out, driven and headed before last, still pressing winner flat, outpaced towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind We Have A Dream (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Broadway Dreams 16-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Oxford Blu (10-12) at Fakenham 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Luv U Whatever 5-2fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Langlauf (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sonnetist 3-1fav (9-6) Keen tracked leaders, pushed along and not much room 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon headed, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Willyegolassiego (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Boychick (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Pressed leader, driven to lead narrowly 2f out, soon ridden and edged left, kept on until headed and no extra inside final 50 yards, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Fearsome (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Cape Banjo (USA) 16-1 (9-9) Slowly away, always behind, 11th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Captain Pugwash (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Deduce (FR) 33-1 (9-9) Led early, tracked leaders, one pace over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Thaqaffa (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Multigifted 6-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 22 1/2l behind Rainy Day Dylan (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Native Fighter (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) Held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headway on outside final 110 yards, ran on to press winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Fearsome (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Tidal Watch (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, tracked leaders when not fluent 5th, ridden and outpaced in 4th after 2 out, no chance after, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Gumball (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Becca Campbell (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Slowly away in rear, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Deeley's Double (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
