made all, quickened to go clear before 2 out, pushed along and kept along strongly flat
chased winner, no impression approaching 2 out, went left last
took keen hold in 4th place, ridden before 7th, weakened before 3 out
held up last, ridden and struggling before 7th, tailed off
raced wide, tracked leaders, chased leading pair after 7th, ridden after 3 out, no impression when hit last 2
chased leading pair, headway after 6, hit 7th, driven next and soon beaten
Nonrunner
This looks a match between My Way de Solzen and Fire Dragon with the confident vote going to the former. The selection won well last time out when beating Neptune Collonges. That horse has since franked the form and under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Fire Dragon rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Mighty Man but he has six pounds to find with the selection on official bhb figures and off level weights he has it all to do. Sporazene was behind Fire Dragon last time and there is no reason why he should gain his revenge on identical terms here. Of the remainder Mughas looks the stable's second string on jockey bookings and for the winner we return to My Way de Solzen who gets the confident vote.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec beating Neptune Collonges (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Dancing Bay 12-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, steady headway 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden and beaten next, 6th of 9, 11l behind Dom d'Orgeval (10-11) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Mughas (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) In touch, headway approaching 6th, hampered 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Haut de Gamme (10-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Nathos (GER) 5-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, raced wide, held up in touch, headway under pressure after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 9, 7l behind Dom d'Orgeval (10-11) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Sporazene (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, hit 4th, ridden and headway from 2 out, weakened and blundered last, 6th of 12, 12l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leader to 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Dom d'Orgeval (10-11) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Fire Dragon (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 3rd and set steady pace, quickened 7th, joined 2 out, still narrow advantage last, driven clear, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd beating Mighty Man (11-4) by 2l, 12 ran.
