held up, driven to chase leading pair over 2f out, stayed on to take poor 2nd inside final furlong
held up in rear, effort from 2f out, one pace and held when not much room inside final furlong
held up in 3rd and well off the pace, closed 4f out, went 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, driven clear final furlong
started slowly, held up in chasing group, pushed along on outer 4f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
pulled hard, chased clear leader, closed to lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, chasing winner but no impression when edged right inside final furlong, weakened
Absolute Utopia is the one to beat in the claimer, with Monduru and Foot Fault the only ones to give him a race. John Spearing's 11-year-old has seen it all before and although in the twilight of a long career, showed that he still has what it takes to score when gaining his fifth course win in December. Admittedly that was only in selling company but this is little better, and he will benefit from the drop to this grade again, having run fairly well behind Steely Dan in a class E handicap over the course and distance six days ago. It is a long time since he was contesting decent races at the likes of Ascot, but the old boy should still leave his younger rivals toiling in his wake under Frankie Dettori. Monduru appears to be the biggest danger, having posted two eyecatching efforts in defeat here of late. He has only ever raced three times on the Polytrack and has a bit more scope, although a longer trip would not come amiss for this dual-purpose performer. Foot Fault did not get the run of the race when dropped to this grade here last time but is another that has shown he can handle the track. Whether he can handle Absolute Utopia is another matter, and the latter has obvious claims.
