chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
in touch, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
set strong pace, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly
slowly into stride, mid-division, switched left and headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
held up in rear, smooth headway over 1f out, not clear run entering final furlong, ran on, never reached winner
mid-division, pushed along halfway, every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, switched right to challenge approaching final furlong, soon weakened
in touch, outpaced over 2f out, soon hung right, stayed on under pressure
always behind
Just 3lb separates the field on official handicap ratings so BIRDIE QUEEN gets only a tentative vote. She finished ahead of a couple of subsequent winners when beaten only a nose at Lingfield in November and is preferred to Sweet Taking Guy, a runner-up here on his penultimate start. Spellmaker won a Class 7 event over track and trip in November while Celestial Dawn found only one too good at Wolverhampton before a poor effort behind third-placed Hamis Al Bin at the same track last time.
Sweet Talking Guy (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and faded over 1f out, 13th of 16, 20l behind Barista (9-4) at Leicester 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Birdie Queen 6-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, ridden and effort when edged right over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, always held, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Mick Dundee (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Renoir's Lady 3-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear and in touch, ridden 1f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 6l behind Pharoh Jake (8-5) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Dixie Gwalia 12-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, short of room inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 8l behind Clock Opera (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Dishy Guru 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost place inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 2l behind Chevise (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Celestial Dawn 14-1 (9-7) Dwelt, always behind, 9th of 10, 7l behind Kasbhom (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Spellmaker 14-1 (8-6) Towards rear, outpaced and wide entering straight, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Chevise (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Hamis Al Bin (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway when switched right approaching final furlong, stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kasbhom (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
My Sweet Lord 11-4 (9-6) Chased leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra and lost place final 110 yards, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Pick A Little (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Outbid 14-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sarah Berry (9-6) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Welsh Inlet (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Switched right after start and held up in last pair, headway on insid eover 2f out, ridden and went 3rd inside final furlong, dropped to 4th final stride, 4th of 11, 2l behind Minimee (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Thrasos (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Took keen hold early, prominent, switched right over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 10, 13l behind New Rich (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
