tracked winner, effort well over 1f out, soon hung left, one pace
dwelt, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
steadied start, held up in touch, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no chance
tracked winner, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
made all, clear well over 1f out, comfortably
MILNE BAY can complete a hat-trick here in a small field in which the others are out of form, but there'll be supporters too for Sendreni and Distinctly Game. The selection gains weight all round, and David Simcock's yard is in form, with Milne Bay his only runner on the card. The last success was in a lower grade than this with the previous one in an unpenalised apprentices' race. Distinctly Game hasn't won for a year, and flattered to deceive a little since then. Jamie Spencer's booked to ride earlier in the day too at Southwell, so will be hot footing it down to Essex. Sendreni couldn't cope with a steady pace last time out and disappointed, after having an excellent end to the year, being first or second in five successive races. If this contest is run to suit he should be involved. None of the scheduled five runners should be immediately discounted, but we favour the claims of Milne Bay.
Distinctly Game 11-4fav (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Princess Valerina (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Memphis Man 14-1 (8-4) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 2l behind Dvinsky (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Elusive Hawk (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Dwelt, mid-division, effort and switched left 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace, 5th of 12, 6l behind Ingleby Arch (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Sendreni (FR) 2-1fav (9-4) Took keen hold, tracked winner on inside, ridden 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quicken and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pegasus Again (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Milne Bay (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway 3f out, led just over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating River Kirov (9-1) by 3l, 11 ran.