in rear, pushed along and headway entering final furlong, no impression towards finish
awkwardly away, held up, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
raced wide held up, pushed along and weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, soon every chance, one pace towards finish
in touch, pushed along 2f out, headway inside final furlong, ran on
held up, pushed along2f out, not trouble leaders
keen soon led, ridden and headed just entering final furlong, soon weakened
in touch, pushed along and wide 2f out, ridden and headway inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt always in rear
tracked leader until pushed along over 1f out, weakened final furlong
close up, headway 2f out, soon chased leader, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, headed towards finish
Araifjan has been in good form at Wolverhampton though finished behind runner-up A Sure Welcome last time and the latter has placed again subsequently. Where's Mick posted his best effort in a handicap so far when beaten a length at Newcastle but a wide draw doesn’t help his cause so a chance is taken on TIN HAT. The latter was having his first start since July when placed over 7f here and this drop back down in distance and class will suit. Merhoob also faces an easier task than of late and Pop Dancer has been running well over the minimum trip.
Merhoob (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Hampered start, in rear, never a factor, 7th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Aberama Gold (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Pop Dancer (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Held up off the pace towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Nigel Nott (9-2) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Doc Sportello (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Close up early, ridden along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Duke Of Firenze (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Tin Hat (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Fox Duty Free (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
El Hombre 11-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, pushed along over 1f out, never involved, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Misty Grey (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Count Otto (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Fox Duty Free (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Charming Kid 8-1 (9-9) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed and weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Mutabaahy (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
A Sure Welcome 5-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, chased leader after 1f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Spartan Fighter (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Benefit Street (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Zapper Cass (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Where's Mick (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3/4l behind Astro Jakk (9-7) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Araifjan 11-4 (9-1) Chased winner, every chance inside final furlong until no extra in 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Lezardrieux (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Bombastic (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division, took keen hold, steadied after 1f, never dangerous after, 6th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Iconic Knight (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
