took keen hold behind, headway to chase leader over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
started slowly, behind, ridden over 3f out, no real progress final 2f
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway and hampered on rails over 1f out, not recover and soon eased
prominent, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway and stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish
led 2f, stayed on prominent and driven 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge
tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
behind, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, checked over 3f out, slightly lost place, kept on from over 1f out
held up in rear, some late headway, never dangerous
held up in touch, headway 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
Anuvasteel has flattered to deceive on more than one occasion this winter and may come up short once more in a race where the vote goes to Yashin, who is preferred to Jidiya. The last mentioned comes here on a hat trick following wins over course and distance and at Wolverhampton in races for apprentice and amateur jockeys respectively. This looks a tougher contest, especially off his new mark and the Steve Gollings-trained gelding would need a career best effort to win. Philip Mitchell's Burgundy also comes here on the back of a win last time and holds solid claims off just a 3lb higher mark than when coming late to win here last time on what was only his second start of the winter. Top weight Scottish River is gradually dropping to a fair mark but could do with being lowered a few more pounds and of more interest may be the Brooke Sanders-trained Blackmail, who is closely matched with Burgundy on running here last time. Roman Quintet would have a chance if staying this trip but is far from certain to do so and preference is for Yashin. Paul Blockley's gelding has been off the track since November but that should not be a problem with the stable continuing in such good form. The four-year-old is still unexposed over this trip having won well on his only start over the distance on turf, is at least as effective on the Polytrack and looks worth a bet at the forecast odds.
