went right start, narrow lead until well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced on rail, with leader, ridden to challenge and edged right over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead last half furlong and in command
pushed right start, chased leading pair, pushed along halfway, pulled out over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra last half furlong
Just the four runners turn up for this sprint conditions race and most of the potential opposition may have been put off by the presence of MISTER HUGHIE, who is easily the best treated, and with Below Zero the only possible danger we mention Hairspray as the best of the remaining pair. The highest rated here and racing off bottom weight the selection should really be winning this. He ran a decent race in listed company two-starts back before winning a good looking handicap and with conditions perfect he is a confident pick. Below Zero is rated 2lbs worse than the selection but has to give away three. There is a chance that given his unexposed nature he could really improve but he didn't convince last time out. Hairspray has plenty to do at the weights and is very much the yard's second string while Bow Beaver is a rare flat runner for Howard Johnson and he is unexposed but will need to improve. Four runners and only one conceivable winner and that is Mister Hughie.
Below Zero (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 5, 8l behind Rodrigo De Torres (9-0) at Doncaster 7f con stks (3) gf.
Bow Beaver (USA) 4-1 (9-4) With leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Emerald Girl (8-7) at Hamilton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Mister Hughie (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Raced stand side, held up last in group of 5, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead overall near finish, won at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr beating Pastoral Player (9-1) by nk, 19 ran.
Hairspray 25-1 (8-10) Dwelt, held up, short lived effort 2f out, 10th of 14, 9l behind Jack My Boy (8-4) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf.