led, held up, ridden over 3f out, never on terms
took keen hold, tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, led over 2f out, soon hung left, ridden clear
led, headed over 3f out, weakened final 2f
held up, keen hold, headway over 7f out, never troubled leaders
held up, never dangerous
held up in touch, outpaced over 4f out, ridden and headway from over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt, behind, weakened over 4f out
Nonrunner
Cotton Eyed Joe is selected ahead of Piper General and Macaroni Gold. Cotton Eyed Joe has been in fabulous form on the sand this winter but his punters got their fingers burnt when outpointed in a muddling race over two miles. His banded efforts suggest that he is much better than the bare form suggests so we are prepared to give him one further chance. Piper General seems to have improved since leaving Stan Moore's yard to join John Mackie. A treble scorer on the artificial surfaces this winter - he will need to be at his best to land this afternoon's prize. Macaroni Gold is a likeable old stick. He has won his fair share this winter albeit in selling and claiming grade. He can run his usual game race although he makes less appeal now pitched back into handicap company. Mi Odds has never won over the trip. He's A Star looks interesting. His yard appear to have seen off the sickness that blighted their recent campaign and it would be no surprise to see him with every chance off his light racing weight. Blue Hills is better over further. A fascinating affair in which Cotton Eyed Joe is given a chance to compensate his odds-on backers.
Macaroni Gold (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Held up, improved on bridle over 3f out, led 2f out, soon clear, won at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs beating Hawkit (9-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Mi Odds 13-2 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Kylkenny (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f clm (6) fbs in Dec.
Piper General (IRE) 6-4fav (8-8) Held up, headway over 4f out, led entering final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Oldenway (8-10) by a nk, 9 ran.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 10-11fav (10-1) Held up, headway on inner over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Moon Emperor (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Trew Style 7-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Wise Owl (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Padre Nostro (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 3f out, rider lost whip over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Robbie Can Can (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
He's A Star 9-2 (8-8) Held up, pushed along over 6f out, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Jackie Kiely (8-11) by 6l, 9 ran.
Blue Hills 7-2 (9-7) Led, quickened over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Moon Emperor (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
