dwelt, close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
taken to post early, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer
held up, headway when not clear run inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
raced wide, close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish
keen, in touch, lost place and soon in rear approaching 4f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide, held up, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never on terms
Drago beat recent winner Nonios as well as the re-opposing Sands Chorus and Idol Deputy when scoring over a longer trip last time. He also has the beating of Outback Blue on collateral form but PIKE CORNER CROSS returned an impressive winner at Newcastle last week when clear of the rest and 6lb extra may not be enough to anchor him in his current form. This is tougher than the race Foie Gras won at Chelmsford last month but New Agenda meets the selection on better terms than when beaten at Kempton early in the year.
Pike Corner Cross (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon shaken up, ran on strongly, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Cadeau Magnifique (9-1) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
New Agenda 5-1 (10-12) Held up, towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace closing stages, 4th of 8, 9l behind Top Tug (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Sands Chorus 15-2 (9-7) Went right start, led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Drago (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Drago (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Nonios (9-6) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Eltham 6-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, took keen hold, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Irish Optimism (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Gossiping 33-1 (8-10) Steadied start in rear, never on terms, 9th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Carolinae (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
St Patrick's Day (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, 13 1/2l behind Dream Of Summer (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Idol Deputy (FR) 25-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up, never a factor, last of 12, 12l behind Drago (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
With Pleasure 9-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Testa Rossa (8-12) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Lord Of The Storm 14-1 (9-4) Last to break, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, no chance with front pair, 4th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Zlatan (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Willsy 25-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, no impression, 5th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Russian Reward (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Foie Gras 14-1 (9-4) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, driven to lead towards finish, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Tommy's Secret (9-5) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Outback Blue 18-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Nonios (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
