took keen hold, tracked leading pair on inside, pushed along 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
tracked winner, pushed along 3f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
steadied start, held up last, outpaced as winner quickened 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
made all and dictated pace, quickened 2f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
tracked leading trio on outside, disputing 3rd 5f out, kept on in 3rd inside final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in last pair, pushed along and unable to quicken as pace lifted 2f out, not much room and squeezed through over 1f out, disputing 4th and kept on one pace inside final furlong, never able to challenge
Calling Out ended a long losing run over 1m2f at Wolverhampton last time but has yet to race over this longer trip. Watersmeet finished third at Newcastle to the progressive Natural Scenery, who won again earlier this week, and has a shout while Rock Steady was a length or so in front of COHESION (NAP) when runner-up over track and trip last month. But the latter was having his first start since September on that occasion and David Bridgewater’s unexposed charge may well reverse running and come out best in this. Retrieve has had just the one outing since 2015 and Dashing Star last won way back in 2013.
Calling Out (FR) 4-1 (9-1) Tracked leading pair, switched right over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, pushed along to lead final 100 yards, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan beating Mythical Madness (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Dashing Star 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway on outer to track leaders 6f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 15, 14 1/2l behind Prize Money (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Nov.
Retrieve (AUS) 6-4fav (9-12) Chased leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left and beaten, last of 5, 5 1/2l behind Regarde Moi (9-5) at Southwell 1m stks (6) pol in Jan.
Watersmeet 13-2 (9-12) Led until ridden and headed over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, kept on same pace and no impression inside final furlong, just held on held on for 3rd, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Natural Scenery (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Cohesion 33-1 (9-6) Slow into stride in touch in rear, ridden and headway on inner over 1f out, stayed on close home, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Pinzolo (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Rock Steady (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Pinzolo (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
