keen tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden and outpaced 4f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly away in rear, outpaced 5f out
held up, headway on inner from 6f out, squeezed through to lead over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up on inner, smooth headway from over 3f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, comfortable
tracked leaders, ridden 7f out, bumped 5f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased
behind, never on terms
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
pushed up to lead, headed over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace
FEB THIRTYFIRST has been narrowly beaten over track and trip on his last couple of outings and Sheena West's charge gets the vote on that form. Grand Facile remains unexposed and his rider takes 5lb off his back as he steps up in distance while Activation was not beaten far over 1m4f here last time but has yet to win in 18 attempts. Mighty Thor is partnered by a leading amateur and Investissement won one of these events last year albeit over a shorter trip.
Eseej (USA) 50-1 (10-4) Slowly into stide, never better than mid-division, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 12th of 13, 31 1/4l behind Moojaned (10-12) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Feb Thirtyfirst 6-4fav (9-5) Chased winner, ridden over 1f out, soon dropped to 3rd but still challenging, stayed on well in closing stages, just held, 3rd of 8, hd behind Oakbank (8-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Asker (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last, at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Investissement 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Taurian (11-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Mighty Thor 5-1fav (9-5) Raced wide in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Jack Bear (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Oakbank (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Headway to tracked leader 9f out until ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 9, 18 3/4l behind Cabuchon (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Hawk Gold (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in 5th, 3rd at 5th, weakened before 3 out, 7th and no chance when went badly left last, 7th of 8, dist behind Maria's Choice (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Grand Facile 7-2fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Street Art (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Activation 8-1 (8-7) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Cabuchon (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
