led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in touch, pushed along over 3f out, effort to chase leader over 2f out soon hung left, hung right over 1f out, driven to lead, carried head high and hung left again 1f out, soon headed and one pace
tracked leader after 2f, reminders halfway, lost touch 3f out
in touch in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead and hung left just inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader 2f, in touch, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, driven and rallied to take 3rd near finish
dwelt, in rear, ridden over 4f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders
in rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
MOONBALEJ is selected here despite not looking a stable star; Princess Mandy joins Dazakhee and Step To It on the list of dangers. Mark Johnston's record at the track is excellent and his three-year-old handicappers have been doing him proud this winter. This gelded son of Motivator ran well behind Desert Recluse at Lingfield earlier in the month and he should come on for that outing. The obvious dangers lie at the foot of the weights in the form of Step To It and Magic Millie. They clashed here last time out where Step To It came out on top but on todays' terms there is likely to be little to choose between them at the line. Rescent shaped with more promise last time out, as did Princess Mandy on her handicap bow and she has been given a break since. This stablemate of Step To It needs a market check in relation to her friend. Dazakhee also comes here on the back of a three month break and she seemed to show improved form when fifth here on her handicap bow and, along with Moonlight Blaze, is not to be discounted. This looks a decent chance for Moonbalej to break his duck.
Bitter Honey 40-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 4l behind Bubbly Bellini (8-2) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Moonbalej 5-2fav (9-1) Led early, soon settled in 3rd and keen, hanging left from 2f out, effort on inside to chase winner over 1f out, every chance when carried head high and hung left throughout final furlong, no extra and held near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Desert Recluse (8-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) std.
Moonlight Blaze 66-1 (8-9) Mid-division, lost place 3f out, soon ridden, no danger after, 8th of 12, 17l behind Beat The Rush (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Dazakhee 50-1 (8-8) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 7l behind Comradeship (9-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Princess Mandy (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on into 3rd inside final furlong, not pace of front pair, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Dutiful (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
As Brave As You (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Slow into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Sounds Of Thunder (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Magic Millie (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Raced wide, close up, ridden 3f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not pace to get competitive, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Step To It (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Rescent 40-1 (8-5) Slight lead until 5f out, chased winner after, no impression when lost 2nd approaching final furlong, kept on for clear 3rd, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Yawary (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Labretella (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 3f out, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 13l behind Lily Lily (9-0) at Southwell 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (5) std in Dec.
Step To It (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Chased clear leader, ridden 3f out, stayed on to lead over 1f out, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Magic Millie (8-8) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
