held up in touch on inside, ridden 3f out, weakened from over 1f out
held up, took keen hold, closed over 6f out, went 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner, kept on
disputed lead early, chased winner until 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
held up in touch on outside, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
made most, went clear from 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably
held up in touch, lost place 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, headway 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression on winner
Brains and Covert Mission are both seeking a fourth course victory. The former fared best when the pair met at Wolverhampton last month. Mawkeb is having a first run since April but has won on Polytrack. HAVANA GOLDRUSH (NAP) won here around this time last year. Placed in his last three, he may have benefited from a short break and the return to this trip is a plus. Exciting News is 0-7 on the level but won over hurdles in the autumn and was third at Wolverhampton having a first run for George Boughey.
Exciting News 13-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Lord Paramount (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Mawkeb (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Raced keenly tracking leaders, lost place halfway, soon behind, driven along and struggling over 4f out, tailed off, last of 5, 25 1/2l behind The City's Phantom (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Covert Mission (FR) 11-1 (9-6) Soon tracking leader, settled 3rd after 2f, pushed along when not clear run on rail briefly 2f out, switched right then back left over 1f out, no real headway final furlong, 9th of 11, 5l behind Crownthorpe (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Havana Goldrush 10-1 (9-8) Mid-division, smooth headway going best over 1f out, soon pushed along and challenging, no extra and weakened final 110yds, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Dancinginthewoods (9-11) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Brains (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Chased leaders on inside, unable to quicken and hung left over 1f out, kept on between horses towards finish, not pace to threaten, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Crownthorpe (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Lost In Time 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, lost ground over 4f out, no impression from over 1f out, 12th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Lord Rapscallion (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Faithful Spirit 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division out wide, 5th and no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Miss Bluebelle (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Wholelotafun (IRE) 10-3 (10-2) Prominent in chasing group, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous after, 7th of 9, 5 1/4l behind La Rav (10-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.