steadied start, held up last, going well enough 2f out, stayed on final furlong, took 3rd final stride, not reach leaders
held up 4th, chased the leaders 2f out, edged right well over 1f out, led over 1f out, ran on and held on well, driven out
held up 5th, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out without troubling leaders
tracked leader, effort 2f out, still every chance over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
led, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, hit rail after 2f, not clear run and hampered over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, unlucky
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
A step up in class and another penalty may be enough to anchor Smokey The Bear and we'll take Man Of Gwent to put a stop to his winning run although it would be no surprise to see Tilapia improve for this step up in trip. Smokey The Bear put a field of in-form handicappers to the sword last time and it would be no surprise to see him go in again but Man Of Gwent landed a sizeable gamble when winning a Wolverhampton maiden and may well have a bit more to offer. He's bred to get this longer trip and it looks well worth taking a chance with David Evans's gelding. Tilapia is fairly exposed and has been tried in headgear but it's possible that this first run beyond a mile may bring about a few pounds of improvement and he should be monitored in the market. Princess Cocoa also has to enter calculations having won last time but we'll come back to Man Of Gwent for our selection in the finale.
Jagger 11-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 2f out, soon faded, last of 5, 12l behind Grande Caiman (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Tilapia (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) In touch, led after 1f, hung right over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Denbera Dancer (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcap (4) fbs.
Smokey The Bear 9-2 (9-8) Mid-division, headway to lead over 1f out, ran on well, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol beating Most Definitely (8-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Awatuki (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Evident Pride (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Inch Lodge 20-1 (9-3) Soon led, set good pace, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, no extra, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Rationale (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Man of Gwent (UAE) 6-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 3f out, not clear run briefly 2f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol beating Saviour Sand (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Princess Cocoa (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden when slightly hampered well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (4) pol beating Morbick (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
