chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up and behind, improved on outer 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden to chase leader 3f out until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway 4f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly
mid-division, ridden 3f out, not trouble leaders
dwelt in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, never nearer
held up, always toward rear
set strong gallop until steadied pace 8f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased
Nonrunner
Three Boars continues in fine fettle and can account for fellow topweight Shape Up, with Bolckow, Nimello and Hi Dancer also likely to scrap it out for a place. Three Boars has gone steadily up the weights on the back of some sterling efforts throughout the winter, including over a mile-and-threequarters here last week. That was his fourth win in five starts, and so although Steve Gollings is taking a bit of a chance dropping him back in trip, he lines up in the best of form, and with the excellent William Buick on board again. The handicapper will no doubt have his measure before too long, but a rise of over a stone has not stopped the five-year-old, and there should be one more visit to the winner's enclosure to come. Shape Up bounced back to form here seven days ago, and despite a 6lb penalty, remains very well treated on last year's form, so if that recent success was no flash in the pan, he has to be on the short-list. Bolckow has taken well to the Fibresand, and along with old Nimello and recent Plumpton hurdles winner Hi Dancer, adds to a fairly competitive affair, and one in which Three Boars is the selection.
Shape Up (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and stayed on when challenged final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Starcross Maid (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Three Boars 5-4fav (9-11) Always travelling well, held up in rear, wide and headway 7f out, went 4th 4f out, ridden to lead 1f out, eased near finish, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Blue Hills (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bridgewater Boys 7-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 6l behind Blue Sky Thinking (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Greenbelt 15-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden along over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 18l behind Muntami (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Bolckow 13-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Muntami (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Wotchalike (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and no impression over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 5l behind Tancredi (10-13) at Kempton 1m 3f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Nimello (USA) 4-1jt-fav (8-11) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead close up, won at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs beating They All Laughed (8-7) by a nk, 13 ran.
Hi Dancer 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Wednesdays Boy (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gs in Aug.
