Verdict

The runner-up in last year's Lincoln, Prime Exhibit, is being primed for another attempt and he may just need this. The admirable Final Drive won six of his previous seven starts before his recent stint in Dubai but found the competition too hot at Meydan and that may have taken the edge of him. The latter beat LOWTHER at Lingfield in December but Alan Bailey's charge has since won over C&D when beating Norman Orpen and Suits Me. A similar effort here could make him hard to beat and he gets the vote. Recent winner Georgebernardshaw has a bit to find with the selection on earlier running and the more frequent winners Hazzard County and Nazreef make more appeal. Tartan Gigha ran well at Deauville last week and is preferred to stablemate Licence To Till.

Formwatch

Final Drive (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Rear of mid-division, never able to challenge, 8th of 10, 6l behind Famous Warrior (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.

Nazreef 3-10fav (9-13) Dwelt, raced wide in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 3f out, chased leader and edged left over 1f out, driven and gradually wore down leader to lead final strides, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec beating Snow Bay (8-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.

Lowther 9-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, headway to chase leader 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden and asserted near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Feb beating Norman Orpen (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.

Tartan Gigha (IRE) (8-11) 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Polytechnicien (8-13) at Deauville(FR) 1m 1f 4yo stk fbs.

Georgebernardshaw (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Led after 1f, took keen hold and set steady pace, quickened from 3f out, ridden and edged left inside furlong, driven to assert final 110 yards, won at Kempton 1m 2f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol beating Round Won (9-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.

Prime Exhibit 15-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear on outside, switched left entering final 2f, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, nearest finish, 6th of 19, 7l behind Justonefortheroad (8-7) at York 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.

Hazzard County (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway on outer 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb beating Audemar (9-2) by shd, 11 ran.

Benandonner (USA) 9-1 (9-7) Led, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on, 6th of 12, 1l behind Night Lily (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.

Suits Me 10-3fav (8-13) Made all, ridden over 1f out, found extra when pressed inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f cnd stks (4yo+) (3) pol in Feb beating Resentful Angel (8-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.

Dubai Hills 5-4fav (8-11) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, not much room between horses over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Below Zero (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Feb.

Norman Orpen (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) In touch in rear, ridden 2f out, effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd post, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Lowther (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Feb.

Licence To Till (USA) 3-1fav (9-6) Chased leader, led after 2f, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on final furlong, pressed close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol in Oct beating Prospectorous (9-10) by nk, 14 ran.

Prince Of Dance 20-1 (9-4) In rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 10th of 21, 6l behind Mac's Power (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.