pushed along to soon lead, pushed along again and strongly pressed under 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon dropped to 3rd and slightly impeded, one pace
edged slightly right leaving stalls, waited with behind leaders, soon 3rd, pushed along early straight, no extra from under 1f out
dwelt and slightly impeded start, waited with behind leaders, soon in touch in last, closed 2f out travelling smoothly, pushed along from 1 1/2f out, challenged under 1f out, led and stayed on best closing stages
soon close up in 2nd, travelling smoothly into straight, pushed along under 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
Official ratings put Swissterious in pole position after an easy victory at Doncaster for Karl Burke in July and he took on better company later. But he's tackling race-fit rivals here and COLFER ME looks to have more progress in him despite having already had 10 starts. He's up 10lb for comfortably beating stable companion Numerian over a mile but made all and was always travelling nicely. He should confirm positions with the runner-up while Evasive Power makes his handicap debut and has yet to race over a trip this far. Sky Seven was beaten a head on his debut here in November before comfortably landing a maiden on a return visit the following month. He's another on the upgrade and won't need much more to get into contention.
Colfer Me (IRE) 5-4fav (10-1) Soon led, pressed 2f out, pushed along to assert 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan beating Numerian (9-13) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Swissterious 4-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Concierge (9-9) at Newcastle 6f stks (2) pol in Oct.
Numerian (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Soon chased leaders, ridden into 3rd 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, kept on without reaching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Colfer Me (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Sky Seven (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden 1f out, soon pressed, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Dec beating Crockford (9-5) by 1l, 14 ran.
Evasive Power (USA) 7-4fav (9-6) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f stks (5) pol in Dec beating Glorious Emaraty (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.