chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, one pace, never dangerous
led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, kept on to chase winner last 50 yards, always held
chased leader, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
towards rear and outpaced, eased over 2f out
held up mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
dwelt, behind and outpaced, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
chased leaders when stumbled badly and nearly unseated rider after 2f, soon lost place, tailed off
Spacecraft scored over C&D last time and is 4lb higher today. Considering it took him 15 attempts to get off the mark, he's no certainty to follow up but MATAAJIR may well do so. He's on a hat-trick after wins at Wolverhampton during the week and at this track before that, when he beat Spacecraft and three other of today's opponents. Today's extra furlong should suit and he can go in again. Billy Cadiz will need to step up on his recent placed efforts to figure but Jay Jays Joy may do better having slipped further down the weights.
Mataajir (USA) 11-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge well over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec beating Blueberry Fizz (8-13) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Monsieur Pontaven 5-1 (9-2) Dwelt, always in rear, 10th of 13, 15l behind Mataajir (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Bentley 66-1 (9-5) Led headed 4f out, lost place over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 25l behind Honourable Knight (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Jay Jays Joy 25-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Ace Master (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Phoenix Flame 25-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept opn one pace, 5th of 14, 8l behind Spahi (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Spacecraft (IRE) 7-2fav (8-7) Held up in touch, headway to track over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec beating Hilbre Court (9-0) by nk, 11 ran.
Billy Cadiz 5-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Seamster (9-0) at Southwell 7f stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Dec.
Roman Sioux (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Took keen hold towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, some late headway, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 10l behind Eastern Hills (9-0) at Beverley 1m app stks (6) gd in Sep '10.
Like A Boy 20-1 (8-4) Chased leader until 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 21l behind Karate (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Aggbag 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders over 4f, 10th of 11, 11l behind Bold Ring (9-3) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Jul.
Dado Mush 33-1 (8-2) Dwelt in rear, never on terms, 7th of 11, 13l behind Spacecraft (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Le Reveur 100-1 (8-3) Led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 12, 28l behind Idol Deputy (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec.
Look For Love 9-1 (8-8) Behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 9l behind Mataajir (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec.
