chased leaders, driven and stayed on one pace final furlong
held up, headway on inside 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, no impression when lost 2nd on line
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
switched right from wide draw, held up in rear, moderate headway final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
raced wide in mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
made all, clear when hung left final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, held up mid-division, kept on under pressure final furlong
chased winner until approaching final furlong, ran on to regain 2nd post
chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
always behind, never in contention
This is a cpmpetitive handicap and we will side with Briannsta to get the better of Hollow Jo and Zarzu. The selection was outpaced on his first try over the minimum trip last time but the return to 6f should see him in a much better light today and this 5-year-old from the Clive Cox yard should take plenty of beating. Conversley, Hollow Jo was suited by the drop to 5f when landing a gamble here last time and as he is well-drawn and has Neil Callan on board he should go well. Zarzu is another with a good draw and he chased home Turn On The Style last time. That rivals has since won again to give the form a rock solid look so he is another that should not be far away at the finish. Mandarin is in good form and has a good draw so is another to consider, but for the winner we are happy to return to Briannsta.
Briannsta (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Sahara Silk (8-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Zarzu 14-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Turn On The Style (8-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 11-2 (8-6) Held up towards rear, effort and headway over 1f out, switched left to chase winner and just denied, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Buy On The Red (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Hollow Jo 5-2fav (9-8) Soon pushed along in touch, headway on outside over 1f out, chased leaders final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Lady Bahia (8-7) by a hd, 9 ran.
Garstang 11-1 (9-2) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, 9th of 10, 11l behind Grand Show (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Sept.
Sailor King (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Led 3f, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 11l behind California Laws (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Councellor (FR) 40-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 9l behind Chicken Soup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Lethal 10-3 (8-13) Mid-division, in touch when ran wide bend 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 8l behind Grimes Faith (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, never a factor, 11th of 14, 6l behind Grimes Faith (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Morse (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Made most, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Figaro Flyer (9-1) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Effective 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, effort well over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 10th of 11, 4l behind Morse (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Sahara Silk (IRE) 7-2 (8-4) Slowly into stride, outpaced, ridden halfway, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 8, 5l behind Efistorm (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
