held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed near finish
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go third towards finish
mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
dwelt, slowly into stride, always in rear
held up in rear, switched right and headway approaching final furlong, pushed along and stayed on to lead near finish
led, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
with leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
AFTER THE SHOW and Step It Up come here in good form and with the better draw it is the first-named who receives our nomination. Rae Guest's gelding was a fair second over this course and distance last time out behind a progressive sort of Bryan Smart's in Nickel Silver. He has been left on the same mark of 65 and is fancied to add a seventh career success. Sharing top-weight here is Step It Up whose recent second places have come at Kempton; he has won here before however, most recently in November. Colorus is a dependable sort who knows his way around most of the all-weather circuits but he is yet to win here, whilst Triskaidekaphobia unsurprisingly missed an intended engagement on Friday the thirteenth of February. Green Lagonda, Scarlet Oak and Magic Glade all have bits and pieces of form and a few form lines that intertwine, but the feeling is that After The Show can top the bill.
Step It Up (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-13) Chased leaders, switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Steel City Boy (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
After The Show 5-2 (8-8) Steadied soon after start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Nickel Silver (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Colorus (IRE) 7-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon driven, one pace, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Whiskey Creek (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Bluebok 12-1 (8-9) Soon crossed over from wide draw to dispute lead, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3l behind Steel City Boy (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Scarlet Oak 8-1 (9-2) Dwelt, soon pushed along in rear, headway to chase leading pair 2f out, driven to chase winner approaching final furlong, no impression after, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Woodcote (9-7) at Lingfield 5f sll (6) pol.
Teen Ager (FR) 10-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 5l behind Monte Major (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Green Lagonda (AUS) 9-2 (9-2) Pressed leader, every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, and lost 2 places final strides, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Welsh Opera (8-9) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Magic Glade 16-1 (8-4) Held up behind, in touch, ridden 2f out, no headway, stayed on one pace, 6th of 8, 5l behind Nickel Silver (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Triskaidekaphobia 10-1 (8-7) With leader over 2f, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 10, 12l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Decider (USA) 12-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, joined leader after 1f, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 4l behind Brandywell Boy (8-4) at Lingfield 5f clm (6) pol.
