led and keen, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear
held up towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, one pace inside final furlong
slowly away, in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
rear division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leader, chased winner over 1f out until no extra towards finish
NonRunner
Native Fighter has been in winning form over hurdles and went close over a longer trip at Musselburgh when last seen on the Flat. Course regular Sulafaat is usually in the mix but remains 7lb higher than when last successful here. Lopes Dancer won over track and trip in September and is preferred to the likes of Zack Mayo and Zabeel Star but ICE PYRAMID has the most scope having gone close in novice company over course and distance on last month’s reappearance. There looks more to come from the former Godolphin charge now handicapping and he gets the vote.
Zack Mayo 9-1 (9-9) Raced wide tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden 3 lengths clear over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 12, 11l behind Clap Your Hands (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Ice Pyramid (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, wide and headway over 2f out, pushed along to lead approaching final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Sharp Suited (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Paddyplex 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders until pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Kaser (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Native Fighter (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway when hampered and well recovered 5 out, mistake next, chased leaders 3 out, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating En Meme Temps (11-7) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Trinity Star (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always behind, last of 16, dist behind West Cork (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Archive (FR) 12-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 8f out, never a factor, 9th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Francophilia (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Sioux Frontier (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders, 10th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Dreams And Visions (9-4) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Zabeel Star (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, switched outside and ridden between last 2, rallied after last, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Summer Lightening (11-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Framley Garth (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, never on terms, well held between last 2, 5th of 11, 16l behind The Dancing Poet (10-4) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Sulafaat (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Raced wide in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Greengage (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Carried (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden after 3 out, no impression on leader before next, no extra from last, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Drummullagh Rocky (10-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Lopes Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders on outside, driven over 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Grazeon Roy (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
