prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
towards rear, headway over 2f out, never near to challenge
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
never better than mid-division
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, driven over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish
in touch, led over 2f out, headed and hampered well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden when weakening over 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride and behind, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, never on terms
Paso Doble lines up in form and can go in again, with Blue Patrick, Almanshood and Amorist just three more to note. Any one of those mentioned could prevail here and it would not be a surprise, but the finger points to Paso Doble who has come fast and late to land his last two outings over seven furlongs here. The step up to a mile will surely be a help, and with the trainer's son taking seven-pounds off his back to offset the rise, he must surely be in at the finish. Blue Patrick defied a break to score at Wolverhampton before Christmas, but has joint topweight to overcome and has yet to win on the Fibresand. Almanshood has yet to race on this surface but is better treated than on Turf, while Amorist saw his winning run come to an end recently and may be better served over a longer trip now. So, for the winner, we prefer the claims of Paso Doble.
Blue Patrick 5-2fav (9-2) Always in touch, pushed along on inside 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Mollyputtheketelon (9-2) by 3l, 13 ran.
Paso Doble 5-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead post, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Certain Justice (9-4) by a shd, 12 ran.
Byron Bay 9-2 (8-1) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Namroud (8-8) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Oct.
Parkview Love (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, stumbled over 4f out, soon pushed along, one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 4l behind Paso Doble (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Almanshood (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Soon led, clear over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol beating Blueberry Tart (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Monte Mayor Boy 50-1 (9-2) Started slowly, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, clear inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov beating Parkview Love (8-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Amorist (IRE) 11-4fav (9-9) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Dispol Foxtrot (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Formidable Will (FR) 9-2fav (9-1) Always in rear, 13th of 14, 23l behind Chicken Soup (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
