chased leading pair, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, readily
dwelt, soon outpaced, hampered over 3f out
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
reared start and slowly away, in rear, hampered over 3f out
dwelt towards rear, hampered over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to go 2nd near finish, not reach winner
chased leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakend over 1f out
close up on inside, hampered over 3f out and lost place, weakened over 2f out
led 1f, chased leader, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear
dwelt mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, hampered over 3f out, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
The Tatling has his 163rd career start and another opportunity to gain the win that will probably earn him an honourable retirement. But Milton Bradley's veteran is likely to find a few of these too speedy around here including Straboe, who was just denied in his hat-trick bid over C&D 10 days ago, and Triskaidekaphobia. The latter bounced back to form at Lingfield earlier this month and is still on a decent mark. Sally's Swansong finally got off the mark here earlier in the month but there's a good chance RIO'S GIRL will reverse running with Eric Alston's mare on these more favourable terms as she will have needed her first outing since the autumn and showed a lot of speed when winning at Ayr and Musselburgh last summer.
Straboe (USA) 2-1fav (9-1) Started slowly, pushed along and behind, headway on inside under pressure 2f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kylladdie (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Prince James 25-1 (8-10) Chased leader until 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 5l behind Kylladdie (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Decider (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Led narrowly, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Sharp Shoes (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f sell stks (6) pol.
Spic 'n Span 4-1 (9-3) Went right start, tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 14l behind Tsar Bomba (8-12) at Southwell 5f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
The Tatling (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Electioneer (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Rio's Girl 5-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 5th of 13, 2l behind Sally's Swansong (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Madam Isshe 10-1 (9-6) Disputed lead early, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 8l behind Grand Stitch (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Triskaidekaphobia 33-1 (9-1) Made virtually all, strongly challenged from over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Black Baccara (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Dwelt, raced keenly in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Triskaidekaphobia (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Macie (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 14l behind Sound Amigo (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Sally's Swansong 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division on inside, headway when not clear run and switched inside over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead final 75 yards, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Cavitie (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Francis Albert 14-1 (9-10) Pulled hard and prominent, hard driven 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Sparking (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol.
