tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, well in command inside final furlong
held up behind, driven 2f out, never pace to challenge, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, outpaced in 4th over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never a threat, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, some headway on outside over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, soon behind, tailed off final furlong
led, driven and headed 2f out, ridden 1f out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong
held up towards rear, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway under pressure on inside over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
Matterhorn will need to improve again raised a further 6lb for winning at Lingfield, his fourth success in five starts on the all-weather. Breden missed out on a hat-trick when runner-up at Lingfield last month but is still preferred to last month’s Newcastle winner Tough Remedy and Michele Strogoff, who are both upped in class today. Calling Out has claims on a course and distance success in December. BATTERED missed the whole of last year but, after going close behind the progressive Piannata at Newcastle last month on his first outing for Ralph Beckett’s yard, he gets the vote in a competitive contest.
Matterhorn (IRE) 8-11fav (9-5) Pressed leader, shaken up to lead just over 2f out, pushed out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Mythical Madness (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Battered 9-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Pinnata (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Breden (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) In touch in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon chased winner, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Apex King (8-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Calling Out (FR) 22-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, chased leaders inside final 2f, ridden 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 5th of 8, 2l behind Pactolus (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Eljaddaaf (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Happy Escape (8-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Michele Strogoff 25-1 (9-5) Soon led, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 8 3/4l behind Hathal (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Feb.
Tough Remedy (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Dwelt tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, rider dropped rein close home, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Azzeccagarbugli (9-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
