slowly away in touch in rear, wide and headway close up over 3f out, pushed along from over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
keen pressed leader, pushed along to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish
in touch, dropped to rear halfway, pushed along over 1f out, kept on final furlong
led, pushed along and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, headway between horses approaching final furlong, soon every chance, stayed on
close up, pushed along and dropped to rear over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
The progressive Channel Packet won over track and trip in November and is only 3lb higher on his return. He’s won off an absence before but the less-exposed SWEET NATURE (NAP) is preferred. The latter found only one too good over course and distance under today’s apprentice last time and there looks more to come from her with the Haggas yard starting the new year in fine form. Creek Harbour is also lightly-raced having won a maiden over 7f at Wolverhampton but it’s been sometime since Lunar Deity last won on the all-weather, though he ran well at the latter track recently. Caledonia Duchess is upped in class after going close at Wolverhampton but is still preferred to Prince Consort.
Lunar Deity 9-2 (9-7) Took keen hold, led after 1f, soon clear, reduced lead 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Berlusca (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Creek Harbour (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Hampered start, took keen hold, in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, never on terms, weakened final 100 yards, 8th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Inaam (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Sweet Nature (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, steadied over 6f out, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Yusra (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Dec.
Channel Packet 6-1 (9-2) Chased leader, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov beating It's Not Unusual (9-9) by nk, 8 ran.
Caledonia Duchess 9-1 (9-7) Restless in stalls, slowly away, held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway and hung left inside final furlong, not able to challenge, 4th of 9, 1/2l behind Foxy Lady (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Prince Consort (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, ridden halfway, never on terms, 9th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Bond Angel (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.