in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent, chased along 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong
steadied at start and held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, driven over 1f, edged left approaching final furlong, kept on until headed well inside, no extra close home
prominent, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
always rear division
held up behind leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on
Snow Dancer had been running well on the Polytrack during the winter but disappointed on his return to turf over course and distance last week so he is hard to back with any confidence and a better bet looks to be TWILIGHT DAWN, who gets the verdict ahead of Cheers For Thea. Although beaten into ninth place just behind Snow Dancer in that race here last week, Tim Easterby's filly was not beaten that far and she has to be considered. Salerosa has been running well this winter and has every chance if able to reproduce that improved form back on turf. Awaken and Shekan Star face no easy task from out of the weights proper and preference is for Twilight Dawn. Len Lungo's gelding has not been seen on the level since the summer but has run two decent races over hurdles this winter, latterly last month, and he is taken to translate that improved form back on the flat.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, effort when switched left over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 16, 5l behind Sirvino (9-0) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Twilight Dawn 20-1 (9-12) Behind, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost touch, last of 12, 48l behind Flying Valentino (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 3yo fll hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Salerosa (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Bailieborough (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Cheers For Thea (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Led, headed over 4f out, regained lead 2f out, driven and headed when weakening 1f out, 9th of 16, 5l behind Sirvino (9-0) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Grethel (IRE) 100-1 (8-5) Held up in touch, lost place over 2f out, last of 6, 28l behind Halicarnassus (9-0) at Ripon 1m 2f stks (3) gf.
Umverti 25-1 (8-13) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 9l behind Trans Sonic (8-12) at Catterick 7f hcap (6) gs in Sep.
Awaken 10-1 (9-6) Held up, effort 4f out, soon ridden and behind, last of 8, 12l behind Sweet Sara (9-9) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Shekan Star 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, driven over 4f out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 23l behind Prince Rhyddarch (10-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f am hcp (6) hvy in Oct.