led 1f, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
switched left start in rear, pushed along and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
close up, ridden and headway inside final furlong, soon edged left and pressed winner, not quicken close home
raced wide in touch, ridden when weakened over 1f out
dwelt always in rear
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong
always towards rear
raced wide tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, found extra when pressed inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Three-year-olds have a better-than-average record in this so Burauq has to be considered, despite his defeat at Wolverhampton where he's never run well. Excellent Aim is incredibly consistent but has gone up 5lb for his Southwell victory and has never won from a mark this high. SPINNING COBBLERS can take this as he won in similar grade here at the beginning of the month and is only 2lb higher. He comfortably reversed earlier running with Duke Of North, though the latter probably didn't run up to his best. Dawn Catcher is also held and has never won on an artificial surface and though Ghost Train scored here a fortnight ago he doesn't win very often. Humour hasn't quite been getting home over 7f and this is his trip but Zebs Lad does better at Wolverhampton.
Excellent Aim 4-1fav (9-7) Close up, headway to lead over 1f out, pushed out, won at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Perfect Peak (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Duke Of North (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, soon hung left and weakened well inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Spinning Cobblers (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Spinning Cobblers 6-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway tracking leaders going well when not clear run over 1f out, switched left to inside entering final furlong, 2nd inside final furlong, ran on under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Triple Dream (9-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Humour (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Close up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Pacolita (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Top Offer 80-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Street Force (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Rigolleto (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Ghost Train (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Dawn Catcher 5-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra and lost places in closing stages, 5th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Spinning Cobblers (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ghost Train (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Close up, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Triple Dream (9-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Not Your Call (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Awkwardly away, took keen hold and held up towards rear, never threatened, 7th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Tychaios (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Zebs Lad (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Exentricity (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Encapsulated 14-1 (9-2) Close up, carried wide into straight 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Hamis Al Bin (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Burauq 15-8fav (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Exentricity (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
