raced wide, tracked winner until pushed along approaching final furlong, rallied to go 2nd again close home
tracked leaders, ridden to press winner approaching final furlong, lost 2nd close home
in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
slowly into stride, in touch over 5f out, headway on inner over 1f out, short-lived effort inside final furlong
made most, rider dropped whip approaching final furlong, pushed out, gamely
raced wide close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
rider removed hood late, slowly away, took keen hold in rear, pushed along 2f out, no impression
in rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
Most can be given a chance in a competitive handicap. Early Morning won a conditions race by five lengths over track and trip in November while Swift Approval was beaten only a neck in this grade at Newcastle recently. Shyron narrowly beat Right Touch over course and distance last month but Unforgiving Minute’s recent good form has been in plating races. MYSTIQUE MOON (NAP) was beaten off today’s mark here last time but is the least exposed and with Charlie Appleby’s yard in red-hot form, he may well improve enough to land this.
Early Morning (IRE) (8-12) 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mr Owen (8-12) at Deauville 7f lst stks in Dec.
Mr Scaramanga 25-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Goring (8-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Suzi's Connoisseur 15-2 (9-7) Behind, switched outside and driven over 1f out, ridden and headway inside final furlong, stayed on well to take 3rd near finish, not reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tropics (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Mystique Moon 7-4fav (8-11) Prominent 2f, close up, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Goring (8-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Swift Approval (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Von Blucher (9-1) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Right Touch 16-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Shyron (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Unforgiving Minute 9-4 (10-0) Close up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Tatlisu (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Shyron 5-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway on inner from over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec beating Right Touch (9-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.