started slowly, held up in rear, headway on inner to chase leaders 2f out, quickened between horses and to lead entering final furlong, ran on, driven out
soon led, set good pace, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, no extra, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead just over 1f out, soon headed, kept on, not pace of winner
held up 4th, chased leaders and effort 2f out, not quicken and one pace from over 1f out
held up 5th, ridden over 2f out, no impression and outpaced over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no reach leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never a factor, eased final furlong
Prime Number is given the nod over Fregate Island and Resonate. A regular on the front end of his races, the selection is likely to make a bold bid for glory with the step back in trip a positive. The handicapper has been showing him some respite in recent weeks and a 5lb aggregate drop from his last three outings could see him go close. Fregate Island ran a game race in defeat behind the highly rated but regressive Waterside. Another contender likely to be on the pace, he appears in the grip of the handicapper but is likely to be thereabouts. Garrulos a 110 rated hurdler reappears on the level following a maiden hurdle success and a fourth placing in a hot handicap hurdle at Kempton's Christmas Festival. A winner of a BHA rating off 60 on his most recent all-weather outing, he could potentially be thrown in but is opposed against some regulars. In a trappy contest, Prime Number is given the nod.
Rationale (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Held up, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Esthlos (9-7) at York 1m 4f app hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Inch Lodge 25-1 (9-1) In touch until lost touch over 3f out, eased over 1f out, held off, last of 14, 41l behind Art Modern (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Fregate Island (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, hard pressed final furlong, stayed on under pressure, caught final stride, 2nd of 6, shd behind Waterside (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Resonate (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Wicked Daze (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 11-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out until inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Maslak (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Prime Number (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, led over 6f out until headed 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Mutamaasek (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Garrulous (UAE) 7-2fav (8-6) Chased leaders over 8f, 9th of 15, 11l behind Royal Premier (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
