tracked leader after 1f, pushed along and lost 2nd over 2f out, chased leaders, ridden inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders on outside, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well towards finish, went 3rd final strides
steadied start, held up last, bit closer on outside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led after 1f, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, battled on well until headed 150 yards out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final 100 yards, dropped to 4th last strides
held up in last pair, good headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, stayed on well
mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon lost place and behind, tailed off
bit keen, led 1f, tracked leading pair on inside, went 2nd again over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, lost 2nd entering final furlong, went 2nd again inside final 100 yards
The 2019 Northumberland Plate winner Who Dares Wins returns to handicapping having finished in front of Stargazer at Newcastle last month. He can figure if back to his best but Outbox debuts for a new yard having missed the whole of last year and Amtiyaz is upped in class after placing over track and trip, despite failing to get a clear run. ROCK EAGLE (NAP) built on a good effort in the Cesarewitch when scoring over course and distance in November with both True Destiny and Lucky Deal behind. The latter subsequently boosted the form with a victory at Newcastle and Ralph Beckett’s charge looks worth sticking with.
Who Dares Wins (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up, badly outpaced over 3f out, made moderate late headway into sixth inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Rock Eagle 11-8fav (9-8) In touch, headway on inner entering final 2f, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Nov beating Soghan (8-10) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Stargazer (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Midfield, ridden 2f out but failed to quicken, 8th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Outbox 11-8fav (9-3) Pressed leader after 2f until pushed along over 4f out, ridden and rallied 3f out, every chance when badly bumped just over 2f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Vivid Diamond (8-2) at Chester 1m 6f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Lucky Deal 5-1 (10-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, kept on strongly under pressure 1f out, held on close home, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) pol in Dec beating Cosmelli (9-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
True Destiny 6-1 (8-10) Raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Rock Eagle (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Kangaroo Valley (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Led, hit 6th, ridden and headed soon after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Amtiyaz 9-4 (9-0) In touch, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, ridden and ran on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Imperium (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) pol in Dec.
