held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
steadied start, always behind
in touch, hard driven over 2f out, switched right to challenge over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead post
chased leaders, under pressure over 4f out, soon weakened, eased well over 1f out
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, headed closing stages, kept on
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never nearer
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, challenging when not clear run throughout final furlong, unlucky
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, headed post
Nonrunner
Shirataki was winning for the first time since 2013 when scoring at Kempton earlier in the week and carries 6lb extra. Percella is also penalised for landing an amateurs’ race here last week while Thomas Blossom still looks high enough in the weights on recent form. HARLESTONE HOPES’ recent second came in maiden company but he remains unexposed in handicaps and Ed Dunlop's charge may find the improvement necessary to open his account in this modest contest. A maiden winner on the Flat, Running Wolf won twice over hurdles last year and could go well.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, 5th of 7, 4 3/4l behind With Hindsight (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Star Anise (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Held up, pulled hard, headway and went 2nd 10f out until over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 13, dist behind Doctor Kehoe (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Percella 3-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, led entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Ruzeiz (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Shadow Rock (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Led 3f out, tracked winner, driven 4f out, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon behind, last of 8, 17 1/4l behind Candyman Can (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Harlestone Hopes 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders in 4th, reminder inside final 5f, quick move into 2nd inside final 3f, ridden well over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, soon hung left, headed last strides, 2nd of 5, hd behind Kelly's Finest (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f mdn stks (6) pol in Dec.
Furiously Fast (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Ickymasho (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Running Wolf (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) In touch main group, disputed 2nd behind clear leader (winner) after 4th, went 2nd at 7th, soon clear of rest, kept on, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 7, 27l behind Danceintothelight (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Hiorne Tower (FR) 16-1 (9-9) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Saint Honore (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Shirataki (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Slowly away behind early, in rear 8f out, headway on outer entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Awesome Rock (8-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Peeps 5-1 (8-6) In touch in rear, ridden 2f out, effort and switched left entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 9l behind Sweet Selection (9-0) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Bamako Du Chatelet (FR) 5-2 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Dakota City (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
