held up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, weakened over 4f out
held up, hampered on bend after 2f, weakened over 4f out, soon eased
held up in touch, weakened 3f out
led, ridden approaching 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
in touch, ridden over 6f out, outpaced, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened approaching 1f out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
behind, hung right on bend after 2f, never dangerous
in touch, led approaching 2 out, clear final furlong
held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
LIDAR can justify favouritism although it wouldn't surprise to see Nodforms Violet produce a big run. Others to bear in mind include Miller's Dawn, Steptoe and Alfie Spinner. Alan King's juvenile was all the rage ahead of his debut in a well contested Newbury bumper but found the slow pace against him and couldn't muster a sufficient turn of foot to land the odds. The first three pulled a long way clear which is always a good sign and that impression has been confirmed by the second scoring a runaway success next time whilst the fifth also landed a gamble on his next start. Some observers felt that Nodforms Violet held the Musselburgh form down by finishing as close as he did to Cheltenham fancy Bellvano but there was daylight back to the third and it may just be that he's above average. Miller's Dawn has claims on the form of his latest start, Alfie Spinner should come on for an encouraging debut but Steptoe has the strongest form claims despite failing to run his race when well backed to land a Listed race at Cheltenham. The newcomers should be monitored for support as ever but they'll have to be useful to get the better of Lidar.
Across The Straits (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching straight, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, 12th of 16, 39l behind Qroktou (11-2) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Botany Cove 18-1 (10-12) Chased winner to over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 16, well behind Saveiro (10-12) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Boyoboy (IRE) UNKNOWN SIRE.
Fidelis (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, ran green, effort 4f out, no impression, 10th of 21, 15l behind Sunsetten (10-12) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Jan '08.
Hong Kong Harry 6-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, 22l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, raced keenly, headway halfway, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 10, 34l behind Benbane Head (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Kosta Brava (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, soon beaten, eased final 3f, 13th of 16, well behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-1) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Miller's Dawn 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out switched left over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Red Harbour (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Nodforms Violet (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Close up, hampered and lost place on home bend after 5f, ridden over 3f out, headway to challenge 2f out, driven and no extra final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Bellvano (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd.
Persian Run (IRE) UNKNOWN SIRE.
Well Refreshed UNKNOWN SIRE.
Edgevine 12-1 (11-0) In touch, led 9f out, headed 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 16, 29l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden and effort over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 11, 13l behind Roman Conquest (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Best Yarn UNKNOWN SIRE.
Bold Exit (IRE) UNKNOWN SIRE.
Lidar (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Behind, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, switched left and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Zazamix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Steptoe 85-40fav (10-12) Never better than mid-division, 12th of 15, 23l behind Cill Rialaig (10-9) at Cheltenham 1m 4f 4yo nhf (1) gs in Jan.
Up To The Mark UNKNOWN SIRE.