close up in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
close up, pushed along and headway to chase leader approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on
raced wide tracked leader over 5f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
keen tracked leader until over 5f out, tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
A couple of these bid for hat-tricks though Dawaaleeb is upped in class on the back of a double at Newcastle. But AYR HARBOUR won a higher grade contest over course and distance last time and should go very close again raised only 2lb. Markazi was beaten only a head at Lingfield last week but is another facing a tougher task today while Assimilation was beaten less than a length in a tight finish at Wolverhampton and makes more appeal than Firmament.
Firmament 9-1 (9-0) Held up, short of room and switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong but never dangerous, 5th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Diocles Of Rome (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Assimilation (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, finished 3rd, placed 4th, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind De Vegas Kid (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Dawaaleeb (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Made all, ridden and ran on gamely inside final furlong, unchallenged, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Crownthorpe (9-12) by nk, 12 ran.
Ayr Harbour 5-2jfav (8-10) Prominent, disputed lead 2 out, narrow advantage final furlong, held on, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Nov beating War Glory (9-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Markazi (FR) 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 8, hd behind Delicate Kiss (9-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.