tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never a threat
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, chased leaders, lost place well over 1f out
chased leaders, hard driven over 2fout, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon pressed, held on well
led, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied closing stages, just failed
Nonrunner
Nortron went close at Kempton in October only to disappoint on his latest outing at the same track. Crack Shot also ran well at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start and Excellent Guest has been thereabouts at this level of late without being good enough off his current mark. But GENTLEMEN was beaten only a short-head over track and trip three weeks ago when clear of the rest and Phil McEntee's charge may prove good enough in this. Welliesinthewater looks best of the rest.
Nortron (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Steal The Scene (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Crack Shot (IRE) 5-2 (9-2) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Dougan (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Excellent Guest 9-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Mezzotint (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Run With Pride (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Always struggling in rear, last of 10, 27 1/4l behind Ian's Memory (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Dana's Present 33-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon short of room, weakened final furlong, 11th of 13, 8l behind Volunteer Point (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Woofie (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Raced wide prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Forceful Appeal (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Gentlemen 7-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on and headed near finish, 2nd of 9, shd behind Justice First (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Welliesinthewater (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, staying on when slightly hampered inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Ziggys Star (9-4) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Toymaker 10-1 (9-7) Held up, never a factor, 9th of 12, 14 1/4l behind Rockwood (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.