mid-division and keen, headway 3f out, ridden from over 2f out, kept on
towards rear, headway 2f out, switched right to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders and keen, lost place over 1f out
held up and keen, headway on outside to chase leaders 3f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, never dangerous
tracked leader and keen, weakened approaching final furlong
soon led, ridden approaching 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride, shaken up and headway to chase leaders over 1f out, faded final furlong
Nonrunner
There's a chance that FANCY FOOTSTEPS may have crept under the radar and she's fancied to hit the target. Balata and Tobar Suil Lady are live dangers. Balata has been the very model of consistency and a 5lb rise may not be enough to prevent him from being competitive now that he's found his form and he's respected. Rock Anthem's sole run at this track was disappointing and he has plenty to prove on this surface but he's well enough handicapped to go close. Tobar Suil Lady didn't appear to handle the track at Great Leighs but returns to the scene of her most recent success and she makes the short-list. One or two others have claims but Fancy Footsteps' Wolverhampton third takes the eye. She finished three lengths behind Milne Bay who had won his preceding race and a neck behind Rivor Kirov who has gone on to win three of his next four starts. Those three were over four lengths clear of the remainder yet she's able to race from the same mark and Fancy Footsteps can take advantage.
Balata 7-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led last strides, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Kensington (8-13) by a hd, 11 ran.
Dinner Date 17-2 (9-5) Raced wide, held up in rear, ran wide into straight 2f out, soon ridden, never nearer, 5th of 8, 5l behind Vine Street (9-5) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Divertimenti (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden and close enough over 1f out, kept on, not pace to challenge inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pegasus Again (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Tobar Suil Lady (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 5th of 8, 3/4l behind Fine Ruler (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Pha Mai Blue 20-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 12l behind Alqaahir (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Diego Rivera 14-1 (9-1) Held up, never trouble leaders, 10th of 13, 7l behind Eastern Gift (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Rock Anthem (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Led early, remaind close-up, led again well over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, regained lead inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind United Nations (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Fancy Footsteps (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Pressed leader every chance over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Milne Bay (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Magic Warrior 12-1 (8-3) Held up 4th, ridden, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Majehar (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Salt of The Earth (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leader on outer to just over 2f out, wide bend and soon ridden, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 3l behind Bavarica (8-2) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (5) pol.
