chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, chasing leaders when switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
outpaced towards rear, some late headway near side, never troubled leaders
raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, chased winner and kept on same pace
slowly away, outpaced and always in rear, tailed off and eased final furlong
soon slight lead, narrowly headed 3f out, chased leaders, every chance 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong
led early, with leaders, led again 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
outpaced towards rear, some headway inside final 2f, never troubled leaders
outpaced towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
Playtothewhistle was runner-up here in November and his trainer has sent out three of the last four winners. But CUSTARD THE DRAGON won a higher grade handicap last month when landing the second leg of a course and distance double and can go in again off only a 3lb higher mark. Dark Forest is upped in class under a penalty after winning here recently and Capital Gearing has been creeping closer without looking like winning. Fujin and Fortinbrass are recent winners over 6f but neither have won over this far before.
Fujin 4-1fav (9-10) Soon led, headed over 3f out, stayed pressing winner, strong challenge from over 1f out, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Elusivity (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Custard The Dragon 11-4 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Safe Voyage (9-3) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Playtothewhistle 5-2jfav (9-7) With leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Shearian (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Greyfriarschorista 66-1 (8-9) Steadied start, took keen hold and held up towards rear, never involved, 10th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Gossiping (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Unnoticed 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ridden and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Fire Diamond (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Showing Off (IRE) 150-1 (8-13) Behind, pushed along over 4f out, tailed off over 2f out, last of 14, dist behind Alpha Tauri (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Fortinbrass (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Always prominent, led 2f out, ridden all out, won at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Cadeaux Pearl (8-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Dark Forest 9-1 (9-3) Always handy, ridden 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Secret Glance (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Llewellyn 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Macho Mac (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
One Man Army 100-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 25l behind Alpha Tauri (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Capital Gearing 4-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders on outside, 2nd over 4f out, edged right over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, eased close home, 5th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Essenaitch (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
