raced keenly, tracked leader until pushed along over 2f out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led going well soon after, ridden over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 150 yards, lost 2nd towards finish
awkwardly away, held up, headway far side of group over 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen in touch, smooth headway near side of group tracking leaders over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, led final 150 yards, soon pushed clear, comfortably
held up in touch, headway far side of group chasing leaders over 2f out, 3rd and one pace over 1f out, kept on into 2nd towards finish, never going pace of winner
led until over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
The betting suggested ST JUST would go close on his handicap debut and he duly beat a subsequent winner at Lingfield last month with a bit to spare. There looks more to come from the Haggas colt and he’s preferred to Blake's Vision, a runner-up over 7f at Lingfield on his first outing in a handicap though he failed to trouble the winner. Xian Express beat nothing in a seller at Chelmsford recently and faces a much tougher task today while Internationaltiger has undergone wind surgery since last in action in September. Lyricist Voice showed no improvement for a tongue-tie last time and Copperlight is preferred.
Blake's Vision (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched right and not quicken over 1f out, stayed on final 100 yards, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Bendy Spirit (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
St Just 7-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m (5) pol in Dec beating Island Hideaway (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Xian Express (IRE) 4-11fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, led entering final furlong, soon edged right, ran on, comfortable, won at Chelmsford City 1m stks (6) pol in Jan beating Schumli (8-11) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Lyricist Voice 8-1 (9-4) Soon behind, closed on inside over 2f out, stayed on same pace, not trouble leaders, 4th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Fantasy Believer (9-7) at Kempton 1m (5) pol in Nov.
Internationaltiger 3-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Melody King (9-5) at Thirsk 7f stks (4) gd in Sep.
Copperlight (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Prominent 2f, chased leaders, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Bee Able (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
