tracked leader, hit 3 out, soon led, clear approaching next easily
led, headed after 3 out, no chance with winner from next
tracked leaders, in 3rd and weakening when fell 2 out
held up, outpaced from 9th, left moderate 3rd 2 out
Arctic Echo should prove too strong for Ellerslie George and Toni Alcala in a competitive finale. The selection is chasing a hat-trick and he won impressively last time when beating Bouncing King. He should handle the ground and he looks the one to beat. Ellerslie George was disappointing last time but he had previously won well. His latest effort would have to be forgiven if he were to be punted here but he does not look the most straightforward and we will take him on. Toni Alcala has got some fair form on the flat but he was a big disappointment on heavy ground four runs ago. The percentage call is to therefore take him on and as Lord Collingwood can't be fancied, we will return to Artic Echo as our idea of the winner.
Arctic Echo 7-4 (11-2) In touch, led 4 out, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Bouncing King (10-9) by 18l, 11 ran.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Led to before 3 out, outpaced from next, 3rd of 18, 16l behind Reel Charmer (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Lord Collingwood (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in touch, headway 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Heraldry (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Toni Alcala 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Ivoire De Beaulieu (10-7) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec '05.
