in touch, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead near finish
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace
always prominent, led over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon beaten
soon outpaced, never on terms
behind, outpaced, soon beaten
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
with leader, led over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, headway over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
led, headed over 1f, edged right and weakened final furlong
On The Trail looked on the way back last time and David Chapman's nine-year-old can take this opener from A Teen and Torrent. On The Trail landed a five furlong event at Wolverhampton in October but then seemed to lose his way. However he returned to form last time with a close up third to Miracle Ridge and if in the same mood today will be hard to beat. A Teen was rated in the sixties during 2004, but some poor efforts have brought him down to 40. A form revival could be on the cards though after he finished an excellent third at Lingfield last time. The selection's stable companion Torrent is none too consistent but has claims on the pick of his form. Beamsley Beacon is another to consider for each-way purposes, but our idea of the winner is On The Trail.
Amanda's Lad (IRE) 6-1 (8-6) Led, ridden, edged right and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Miracle Ridge (8-13) at Southwell 5f (7) fbs.
A Teen 16-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Rock Fever (8-4) at Lingfield 5f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Beamsley Beacon 10-3 (9-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Straffan (9-0) at Southwell 6f (7) fbs.
King Marrakech (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Headway over 4f out to chase leaders, soon ridden, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 12, 4l behind Straffan (9-0) at Southwell 6f (7) fbs.
On The Trail 40-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Miracle Ridge (8-13) at Southwell 5f (7) fbs.
Torrent 13-2 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 7l behind Ardkeel Lass (8-11) at Southwell 6f stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Vaudevire 16-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind Jalouhar (8-4) at W'hampton 6f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Sergeant Slipper 11-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Ardkeel Lass (8-11) at Southwell 6f stk (7) fbs in Dec.