dwelt and bumped start, held up in 4th place, effort on outside and pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and outpaced inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up last, travelling strongly when pulled out over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, easily
raced keenly, led and set steady pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong
tracked leading pair, effort on inside over 1f out, every chance until winner quickened on by inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leader, pushed along and every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
The former All-Weather Sprint Championship winner Pretend has been off the track since July. The Godolphin sprinter has every chance if at best on his return but SPRING LOADED (NAP) is in top form at present. The latter won a handicap at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day with Gentlemen back in third and had earlier finished in front of Related when runner-up over track and trip. Paul D’Arcy’s charge is also clear of Golden Amber on these terms so should prove the one beat.
Gentlemen 7-2 (9-9) Close up, pushed along and lost place halfway, last of 8, 17 1/2l behind Tatlisu (8-12) at Newcastle 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Pretend (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear but in touch, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Hillbilly Boy (9-1) at Chester 6f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Related 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, joined leader halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 6 3/4l behind Amazour (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Spring Loaded (IRE) 11-8fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway into 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Wolverhampton 6f stks (2) pol in Dec beating Mythmaker (9-4) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Golden Amber (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Realize (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (2) pol in Dec.
