held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, not clear run and switched right inside final furlong, never dangerous
in touch when not much room after 1f, mid-division after, headway over 1f out, hampered and lost place entering final furlong, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and switched left entering final furlong, ran on
with leaders, led over 1f out, ridden, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, lost 2nd last stride
in touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, took keen hold, switched right well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, always in rear
led 1f, with leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway 1f out, ran on, went 2nd last stride
Ajara made it four wins in her last five starts at this track when scoring over 5f last month. However, this step up in class will prove a much tougher test and she is closely matched with Jigajig on latest running. Methaaly had Excellent Show behind when winning over the minimum trip here earlier and went close over C&D a week ago. He can figure again in this but the vote goes to ONCEAPONATIME. Michael Squance's sprinter won this race last year and hinted a return to winning ways was imminent when runner-up at Southwell last week.
Saharia (IRE) 17-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, hard driven and effor over 2f out, soon lost place, 5th of 10, 7l behind Hulcote Rose (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Excellent Show 4-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd well over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Methaaly (8-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Cardinal 4-1 (8-7) Tracked leader until ridden entering final 2f, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Secret Asset (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Methaaly (IRE) 6-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Diriculous (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Dark Lane 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 14l behind Everymanforhimself (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Lucky Dan (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, 11l behind Haajes (9-2) at York 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Rapid Water 15-2 (8-8) Sprawled in stalls and hampered start, in rear, ridden and kept on, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Anne Of Kiev (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Jigajig 11-1 (8-12) Led, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure, 2nd of 12, nk behind Ajara (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ajara (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Jigajig (8-12) by nk, 12 ran.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 17-2 (9-3) Chased leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Punching (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
