prominent, pushed along over 6f out, weakened 4f out,
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on
held up in rear, weakened over 4f out
with leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace 2f out
held up in touch, pushed along over 4f out, soon chasing winner, ridden over 2f out, on pace
held up towards rear, tailed off over 5f out
held up towards rear, pushed along 8f out, tailed off over 5f out
held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out
made most, ridden over 2f out, kept on well
held up towards rear, weakened and tailed off over 5f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, kept on 2f out
with leaders on inner, weakened 4f out
chase leaders, weakened well over 3f out
chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, weakened over 5f out
In a race full of imponderables our token preference is for SEISMIC WAVE ahead of No Substitute and Lion On The Prowl. Nigel Twiston-Davies' gelding was noticeably green when giving the race away on debut and will need to be more street-wise here, but effectively he rates a winner without a penalty and this contest doesn't look any better. Conditions will be fine and the yard continue in decent enough order, so as the pair were clear last time he sets a decent standard. No Substitute is an interesting debutant in the colours of John Hales. Alan King's yard have been going through a mini-resurgence of late and this one could enhance it further with victory although he might be better with racing and is best watched unless the market says otherwise. Lion On The Prowl has shown decent form in defeat so far, most notably on debut, so whilst it's a concern he didn't seem to particularly improve upon that last time he's still got claims having shown a solid level of ability. Wordy's Boy ran his best race yet when third last time and the winner has since run well in a hot hurdles race so this one also has each way claims alongside point winner Lackamon. Empire Builder needs a market check along with fellow newcomers Hidden In Time, Comeragh King and Coral Cove. Sambelucky progressed from first to second runs and may go better still but this ground may be a bit on the soft side, so with no concerns on that front we return to Seismic Wave.
Comeragh King Kayf Tara gelding out of Velcro Girl.
Coral Cove Karinga Bay gelding out of Herself.
Hidden In Time Slip Anchor gelding out of Linea-g.
Lackamon 6-1 (11-7) Chsd ldrs, ld from 10th, 3l adv 3out & faster jump last, sow, snugly, won at Affane 3m ire ptp sft in Nov beating Flaming Breeze (11-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Lion On The Prowl (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, stayed on same pace to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Quousko De L'isop (10-12) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
No Substitute (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of Kindly Light.
Sambelucky (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden 4f out, stayed on strongly final 2f, never nearer, 3rd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Dear Sam (11-11) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Solo Roma (IRE) Double Eclipse gelding out of Cassies Girl.
The Banana Man Classic Cliche gelding out of Marlands.
Wordy's Boy 20-1 (11-4) With leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Anquetta (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (4) std in Jan.
Little Miss Foozle 16-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, weakened 5f out, 15th of 17, well behind Knockaveen (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
Empire Builder (IRE) Brian Boru gelding out of Fair Draw.
Seismic Wave (FR) 9-2 (10-5) Led and soon clear, ridden approaching 2f out, headed final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Highland Valley (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Taylors Secret 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, stumbled when weakening over 3f out, 10th of 12, 34l behind Rock On Ruby (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs.
Tricky Tree (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Led 4f, chased leaders, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 11, 10l behind Safran De Cotte (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft.
Legbeforewicket Silver Patriarch filly out of Shazana.
Blaqjack (IRE) 150-1 (10-8) Pulled hard in mid-division, lost place 5f out, soon behind and tailed off, last of 10, well behind Tale Of Tanganyika (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs.
Victor Lynch (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of Jmember.