chased leaders, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, never dangerous
led 3f, remained prominent, under pressure 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, rallied approaching final furlong, stayed on well closing stages
pulled hard, soon prominent, led after 3f, clear over 1f out, ran on strongly
slowly into stride, always behind
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace
keen in mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, stayed on under pressure
Nonrunner
Beatabout The Bush drops back in trip having won over 1m4f here in September. Irish raider DOVE MOUNTAIN was raised 6lb for his win over a mile here in November but should still go close as he beat subsequent winner Thermal Column three lengths on that occasion and gets the nod on that form. Roman De Brut won a Class 7 race here on his penultimate start with Cookie Ring well behind but Quite Sparky is preferred in this after a third over track and trip. Chefchaouen looks in need of some respite from the handicapper and Mops Angel steps up in distance.
Mops Angel 5-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden when not much room over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Believe It (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sonnythenavigator (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Candyman Can (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Mfiftythreedotcom (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 11l behind Power Up (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Chefchaouen (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Steadied start, held up, reminders halfway, driven and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Power Up (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Roman De Brut (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Foylesideview (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Artesana 7-1 (9-7) Left at least 10 lengths at start, lost all chance, last of 7, dist behind Thello (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Cookie Ring (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon no impression, 8th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Roman De Brut (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (7) pol in Dec.
Quite Sparky 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, not pace of leaders, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Hazel Blue (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Dove Mountain (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Towards rear, 12th halfway, pushed along in 11th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 6 3/4l behind In The Dark (8-12) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Beatabout The Bush (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, shaken up after 3 out, weakened quickly, last of 9, dist behind Template (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
