soon led, set strong pace, headed over 1f out, kept on
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on
dwelt, in rear, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon faded
DRAW SWORDS was placed again at Wolverhampton on his handicap debut but he finished ahead of Upgrade and meets the latter on better terms in this. The Gosden colt is also preferred to stablemate and newcomer Keswick, a brother to the useful Martlet and not out of this either. Star General is another debutant to note while Speedo Boy posted an improved effort when third over a mile at Wolverhampton last time and makes more appeal than Vrika Bay and Mambo Dancer.
Draw Swords 3-1 (8-7) Edged right start, pulled hard tracking leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Commander Cole (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f (2) pol in Nov.
Keswick Dansili colt out of Marywell.
Mambo Dancer 50-1 (9-5) In rear, never on terms, 10th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Makaarim (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Speedo Boy (FR) 14-1 (9-5) Raced wide, close up, ridden 2f out, edged left and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind X Rated (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Star General Galileo colt out of Sweet Cecily.
Upgrade 40-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Washington Blue (9-1) at Kempton 1m (5) pol in Dec.
Vrika Bay 33-1 (9-0) Steadied and switched right start, held up in last pair, headway towards inside 2f out, ridden over 1f out, plugged on into never dangerous 4th final 50 yards, 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Gallifrey (9-0) at Kempton 1m mdn fll stks (4) pol in Dec.