tracked leaders, blundered last, ridden run-in, kept on same pace
towards rear, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, weakened before 3 out
led to 2 out, ridden before last, kept on
tracked leaders in 5th, led 2 out, driven out
in rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader and keen, every chance 3 out, ridden before last, no extra
towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and one pace before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
Both Hawk High and Gold Futures won their penultimate starts in this grade but neither could cope with an 8lb rise last time. Ayr winner Fisher also failed at Wetherby last month when a couple of lengths behind today's rival Lightening Rod but re-opposes on better terms for this. Smart Ruler has decent claims on his recent course and distance victory but THORPE returned to action with success in a Listed novices' race at Haydock in November. Lucinda Russell's charge may well be good enough to land this with further progress expected.
Hawk High (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear and in touch, one pace and lost 4th towards finish, last of 5, 14l behind The New One (11-3) at Haydock 2m hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Lightening Rod 11-4 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Dec beating Fisher (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Fisher 9-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden run-in, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, always held, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Lightening Rod (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Strongpoint (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, soon 8th, 4th before straight, soon no impression, one pace, 4th of 16, 21l behind Princess Leya (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
Ruacana 13-2 (11-5) Midfield, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 10l behind Snake Eyes (10-11) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) sft in Dec.
Gold Futures (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Held up, pushed along when mistake 4th, well beaten when not fluent 3 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Bellgrove (10-4) at Perth 2m ltd hcp hdl (2) gs in Aug.
Meadowcroft Boy 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 11th of 12, well behind Dawalan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Thorpe (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and in touch, went poor 2nd before last, about 12 lengths down in 2nd when left in lead and clear last, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m Listed nov hdl (1) sft in Nov beating Oscarteea (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ultimate 20-1 (11-3) Led narrowly, headed 5th, with leader, driven 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened last, 6th of 16, 19l behind Carlton Jack (10-11) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Stephanie Frances (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in rear and patiently ridden, headway chasing leaders 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, upsides and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Pass The Time (11-12) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Smart Ruler (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov beating Mason Hindmarsh (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
