slowly away,10th halfway, ridden and 9th 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division on outer, no extra from early straight
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong but no chance with easy winner
mid-division on inner, 8th halfway, ridden early straight and 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
towards rear and never a factor, kept on one pace in straight
towards rear, 11th entering straight and 8th 1f out, kept on one pace
settled in mid-division on inner, switched right 2f out and headway to lead 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to draw clear closing stages
always behind
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th early straight but no extra from 2f out, weakened
tracked leader in 2nd, no extra from 1f out, weakened
chased leaders in 6th, no extra from 2f out, weakened
led, strongly pressed early straight and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Pencil Hill bounced back to form to catch Inishmot Duchess on the line two weeks ago so a big run from the latter in the previous race will point to his chances. Almadaa is looking a few pounds high since scoring here in October and was behind Thats A Fret last month. The winner has since run moderately and UK raider Khawatim looks to have more of a chance as he's been running well at Lingfield and Wolverhampton. Fastidious has strong form but is better over an extra furlong while Sweet Annathea was raised a massive 9lb for last month's success and another 2lb for a narrow defeat a week later. FOL HOLLOW is nowhere near the top handicapper he once was but he made a very pleasing start for new connections when runner-up to Enigma Code here last month and is entitled to come on for the run and go one better.
Elusive Prince 20-1 (8-4) Behind far side, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 18th of 20, 13l behind Pepper Lane (9-1) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Pencil Hill (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Settled behind leaders in 4th, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on to challenge inside final furlong and led close home, won at Dundalk 6f hcap pol beating Inishmot Duchess (8-1) by hd, 5 ran.
Almadaa 7-2 (9-6) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Thats A Fret (8-4) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol in Jan.
Fastidious 9-4fav (9-0) Led, strongly pressed and headed 2f out, ridden and soon no extra, weakened, 8th of 9, 10l behind Golden Shoe (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Jan.
Harry Trotter (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders on outer, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, last of 8, 11l behind Thats A Fret (8-4) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol in Jan.
Jembatt (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Mid-division, weakened straight, last of 13, 12l behind Balmont Mast (9-6) at Dundalk 6f 3yo stks pol in Oct.
Copper Dock (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up in rear and keen hold, not clear run 1f out, ridden and kept on well between horses closing stages, nearest at finish, 3rd of 5, hd behind Pencil Hill (9-2) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol.
Khawatim 7-4fav (9-7) Steadied start, held up in touch on inside, ridden and headway over 1f out, quickened between horses and switched left inside final furlong, strong run to 2nd final stride, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Polar Venture (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Right Divine (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Prominent, lost place from 2f out, soon no extra, last of 14, 23l behind Maude Adams (9-5) at Dundalk 1m Apprentice Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Thats A Fret (IRE) 11-4 (8-13) Disputed early, chased leader after 1f, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, last of 5, 3 1/2l behind Pencil Hill (9-2) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol.
Fol Hollow (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Prominent and tracked leader in 2nd, led under 2f out, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Enigma Code (9-0) at Dundalk 6f stks 0-70 pol in Jan.
Sweet Annathea (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Settled in rear of mid-division on inner, progress from 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Richelieu (8-10) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
Big Typhoon (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Led, headed early straight and soon no extra, weakened, 10th of 14, 15l behind Clare Harrier (8-10) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
