chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out until ridden inside final 2f, weakened quickly over 1f out
led until over 2f out, weakened quickly
chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up and always towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up well in rear, headway when not clearest of runs inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, never nearer
always towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear of mid-division, headway inside final 2f, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on into 2nd entering final furlong, not reach winner
held up towards rear, headway far side of group and switched left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven clear
held up towards rear, headway near side rail when not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
always towards rear, never on terms
held up towards rear of mid-division, headway and switched right to near side rail over 1f out, chasing leaders in 3rd inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish
Several have been threatening a return to winning ways though Elixsoft’s recent placed efforts have come at Southwell and Etikaal failed in a bid for a hat-trick of course wins when placed over 6f last time. Rich Approach found one too good in a lower grade here but MERWEB finished runner-up in this grade at Kempton on his latest start and Heather Main’s grey may prove the one to side with in this. Kind Review and Insurplus are others recently placed at the track and are not out of this either.
Merricourt (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Led and set steady pace 2f, led again over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 10 3/4l behind First Response (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Elixsoft (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) In touch on outside, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on to lead narrowly entering final furlong, headed inside final 100 yards, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Bond Angel (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Merweb (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Hieronymus (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Blindingly (GER) 15-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place, 6th of 7, 14 1/4l behind First Response (9-3) at Newcastle 1m stks (5) pol in Oct.
Kentuckyconnection (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Awkward start, held up, headway over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Valley of Fire (9-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Insurplus (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway between horses over 1f out, kept on into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind First Response (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Etikaal 13-2 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Wasntexpectingthat (9-11) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Dutch Pursuit (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Champagne Rules (9-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Chosen World 11-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd, never nearer, 3rd of 14, 7 1/2l behind Valley of Fire (9-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Reaver (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Dwelt in touch in rear, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 5, 8 1/2l behind Fortamour (8-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Kind Review 25-1 (9-7) Pulled hard, switched right to near side rail and led 7f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on until lost 2nd and no extra close home, 3rd of 10, nk behind Curfewed (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Silver Dust (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Took keen hold, prominent, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Red Bond (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Tiercel 33-1 (9-9) Chased leaders near side of group, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Bugler Bob (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rich Approach (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Bugler Bob (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
