mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never reached challenging position
always rear division
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong
led, pushed along halfway, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
towards rear, some late headway, never near to challenge
in touch, led over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
Serieux won over this trip as a youngster with Barry Hills and is fancied to turn back the clock in this company; Loyal Tycoon and Tag Team are rated as major players, while Wainwright and Hamaasy are others to consider. Hamaasy - a stablemate of the selection - bolted up in a Banded Stakes here last time out and is respected on that form. He does need to find a little more but is no forlorn hope from his current mark. Wainwright has been expensive to follow, as he has often surrendered a winning chance by failing to go through with his effort. However, he has also been given a chance by the assessor and holds a solid chance of at least making the frame again today. Tag Team ran a blinder here last month and was only just nailed on the line. A repeat dose would bring him right into the argument and any support in the betting ring will be dangerous to ignore, while Loyal Tycoon represents a yard in-form and, considering he has won off 84, his current rating of just 70 leaves him with a feasible chance. However, Serieux has a similar profile and, as he may still have more to offer over sprint distances, the David Nicholls-trained gelding edges the verdict in a tight one to call.
Loyal Tycoon (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Morse (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Serieux 17-2 (9-8) Keen, mid-division, lost place over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 5l behind Ninth House (9-12) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Sept.
Winthorpe (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Soon prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind Regal Raider (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Tag Team (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and led inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind La Colline (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Sweet Pickle 14-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 11th of 13, 11l behind La Colline (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Diktalex (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden, hung right over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, edged left, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Hillbilly Cat (8-4) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm (6) fbs in May.
Wainwright (IRE) 7-1 (7-13) Held up, headway on inside halfway, chased winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Night Prospector (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Hamaasy 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, kept on well, won at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Oct beating Granakey (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
