rear of mid-division on outer, ridden in 8th 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders on outer, 3rd 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, improved to dispute lead under 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, no extra close home
rear of mid-division, 9th 3f out, progress and pushed along in 6th under 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on steadily under hands and heels final furlong
chased leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd 2f out, close 5th 1f out, kept on without threatening in 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders in 2nd and took keen hold early, ridden in 2nd entering straight, improved to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, led briefly 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon dropped to 4th and no extra
mid-division, ridden on outer entering straight, weakened
mid-division, 6th 3f out, progress 2f out, soon ridden, close 3rd 1f out, improved to dispute lead under 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, all out
dwelt, always behind, no impression straight, never a factor
slowly into stride, always towards rear. ridden entering straight, never a factor
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, joined 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, weakened
Marise has won twice around here though she's never raced over a trip this short while Strategic Force is better known as a sprinter and his two victories have been over 6f at Kempton. SO SENSIBLE is given the nod in a tricky contest as he scored over the track and trip just over a year ago and ran very well in three starts on Turf during the summer. Deeds Not Words scored twice for Mick Channon and should improve on what he's shown so far for new connections. Shabra Emperor is only a moderate handicapper but has managed to win five races here and almost made it six last month when beaten a short-head with Zylan three lengths behind. Poetic Choice looked a certain winner when leading at the two furlong pole over a mile here last month but was caught on the line and has been raised 4lb. Firecrown has been disappointing though he'll have needed his run here three weeks ago after a break.
Strategic Force (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong to go 5th close home, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Grey Danube (9-6) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Marise (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Held up, soon 10th, not much room over 2f out, switched right to outer 1 1/2f out, 4th from 1f out, kept on well final furlong without reaching principals, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Political Policy (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Deeds Not Words (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Broke well, tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, no extra under 2f out, weakened, last of 14, 15 1/4l behind Northern Surprise (9-7) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Poetic Choice 9-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to challenge under 2f out and ridden to lead 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed on line, 2nd of 14, hd behind Northern Surprise (9-7) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
So Sensible (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along and progress in 3rd 2f out, soon no impression on winner, ridden to go 2nd 150 yards out and kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 3 1/4l behind Johann Bach (9-12) at Galway 1m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Firecrown (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, under pressure and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Northern Surprise (9-7) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Ishebayorgrey (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, 13th halfway, ridden and some progress in 8th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 9l behind Northern Surprise (9-7) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Modern Tutor 33-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 12th of 14, 37 3/4l behind Udogo (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Shabra Emperor (IRE) 17-2 (9-4) Dwelt, towards rear, 12th halfway, progress on outer under 2f out and ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Split The Atom (9-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Zylan (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 7th on outer halfway, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 9th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Split The Atom (9-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
