slowly into stride, held up mid-division, headway when switched right to chase leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, effort approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, faded final furlong
dwelt and hampered start, chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, hard pressed from over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, faded
behind, some late headway, never nearer
went right start, behind, never nearer
in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never reached winner
driven forward to chase leaders on outside, weakened halfway
always prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Queen Aggie has decent claims on last week's second at Wolverhampton and stablemate Baltic Prince also has a shout. Hardy Black is another with claims but 6f winner Shotgun Start has something to prove over today's trip. Wu Zetian landed a maiden race at Southwell in November while Al's Memory won this contest off a higher mark back in 2013. But CHELWOOD GATE has been threatening to finally take advantage of a tumble down the weights and was beaten only a short-head at Kempton last month. He may well go one better in this.
Fossa 33-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, lost place 2f out, 10th of 11, 11l behind Lady Brigid (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Queen Aggie (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway between horses 2f out, stayed on and edged left inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Rouge Nuage (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Exceeding Power 25-1 (9-2) In touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Jungle Bay (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Wu Zetian 11-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, switched right to chase winner over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Queen Of Skies (8-9) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) fbs in Dec.
Hardy Black (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) In touch, rapid headway on outside to lead before halfway, set very fast pace, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Gracious George (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Baltic Prince (IRE) 13-8fav (9-13) Raced keenly, led until halfway, chased leaders, hampered on inside and clipped heels over 2f out, recovered to lead well inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Steel Stockholder (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec.
Lucky Di 10-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 7l behind Multitask (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Half Way 8-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never threatened, 7th of 12, 9l behind Stellarta (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Shaunas Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Awkwardly away, took keen hold chasing leaders on outside, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Hill Of Dreams (8-12) at Kempton 7f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol in Dec.
Chelwood Gate (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, just held, 2nd of 11, shd behind India's Song (8-13) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sheikh The Reins (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Don't Be (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Al's Memory (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Quickly away, led, ridden clear over 1f out, headed and no extra final 75 yards, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Clement (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Bookmaker 12-1 (9-0) Steadied and switched left after start, held up in rear, good headway towards inside when switched sharply left over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, switched right well inside final furlong, ran on, not reach winner, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Clement (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Shotgun Start 6-5fav (9-13) Prominent, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, edged left over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Munaawib (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp (6) in Dec.
