tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out until inside final furlong, no impression in 3rd final 110 yards
led, headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders on inside, driven over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, never on terms
in touch on outside, pushed along over 4f out, soon outpaced, wide entering straight, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead near finish
with leader, driven over 3f out, soon lost place, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led narrowly over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed and no extra near finish
chased leaders, outpaced over 4f out, soon behind
slowly into stride, behind and soon outpaced, never dangerous
The betting suggested course specialist GENERAL TUFTO was expected to bounce back to form over track and trip last week and he duly did so. He remains on a winning mark compared to his best form and can follow-up in this company. Bladewood Girl finished runner-up here in November and can be given a chance on that form while Mataajir is not badly weighted if producing his best. Tijuca is one of the least exposed and may get involved if taking to the surface while The Troyster was returning from an absence when well beaten here last month and could finish closer today.
General Tufto 9-2 (8-8) Behind, headway under pressure over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure on outside over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, held on, won at Southwell 1m hcp (0-55) (6) fbs beating Queen Of Skies (9-5) by nk, 12 ran.
Tijuca (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Strategic Action (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan '13.
Bladewood Girl 6-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 13l behind Be Royale (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Nov.
Mataajir (USA) 11-2 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 13l behind Katmai River (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Botanist 16-1 (8-11) Always in rear, 9th of 13, 24l behind Auden (9-10) at Southwell 1m 3f (6) fbs in Dec.
Huzzah (IRE) 4-1fav (8-9) Last to break, held up in rear, headway 5f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Katmai River (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Amber Moon 16-1 (8-7) Raced wide keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Archelao (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
The Troyster 22-1 (9-5) Dwelt, outpaced, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 6, 18l behind Go Far (9-5) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.