close up, hit 3rd, ridden next, kept on one pace
led, headed 4 out, tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened final furlong
raced wide, tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, still every chance flat, ran on
raced wide close up, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, never on terms
in rear, never on terms
close up, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, ridden 2 out, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden 2 out, never nearer
always prominent, led approaching 2 out, joined flat, asserted towards finish
in touch, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
NonRunner
The first of two big-field handicaps on today’s card. APPLAUS, who is something of a course specialist, got the better of Malpas here in November and also reversed earlier course running with Wor Verge. Despite all that, he is still still 5lb lower than when runner-up in this last year. Fostered Phil should be approaching peak fitness following a lay-off and Lively Citizen is eased in grade and the weights so is worth a market check but City Derby is having a first run for a new yard and Clear White Light has gone up 7lb for winning over a longer trip at Doncaster. Wetherby winner Quick Sharpener is the least exposed but the handicapper has taken no chances.
Clear White Light 11-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost ground next, closed from 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, 5 lengths down flat, switched right 130 yards out, stayed on to close inside final 75 yards, led close home, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Garde Des Champs (10-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Quick Sharpener (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Royal Mogul (11-7) by 3 1/4l, 17 ran.
Vocal Duke (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent and unseated rider 2nd, at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Malpas (IRE) 22-1 (12-0) Prominent, chased leaders 6th, ran on to lead after 2 out, soon headed, not pace of front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Gilbertina (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Cenotice 14-1 (11-7) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 5, 15 1/4l behind Monte Igueldo (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Wor Verge 12-1 (11-0) In rear, steady headway after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Thereisnodoubt (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Lively Citizen (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened home turn, 8th of 14, 23 3/4l behind No Ordinary Joe (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Minella Youngy (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Chased leaders on outside, not fluent 5th, disputing 2nd 8th, outpaced from 3 out, weakened from next, not fluent last, last of 5, 14 3/4l behind Red Missile (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Dakota Moirette (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 7th, at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Fostered Phil (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Unruly at start, towards rear, went 4th before 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 15 1/2l behind Restitution (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
City Derby (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Close 3rd, went 2nd after 6th, pushed along before 2 out, soon reminder, every chance 2 out, in 3rd and well held when came into view between last two, 3rd of 5, 12 1/2l behind Norley (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Applaus (GER) 7-2 (10-8) Prominent on outside, pushed along and led narrowly before 2 out, ridden run-in and stayed on, idled closing stages, just prevailed, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Malpas (11-6) by hd, 6 ran.
Serious Ego (GER) 10-1 (11-13) Towards rear, some headway after 4 out, no impression, mistake and well beaten 3 out, 9th of 17, 25 1/4l behind So Many Roads (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Leading Force (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 5 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Cruz Control (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
