steadied in rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride, soon driven and led after 1f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
steadied in rear, headway when not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, never nearer
steadied start, held up mid-division, under pressure approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
held up in touch, driven and headway over 1f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in rear, not clear run from over 1f out, finished on bridle
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led 1f, remained prominent, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, not much room halfway, soon ridden and lost place
went right start and held up in rear, some late headway, never on terms
The four recent winners in the line-up must all be respected, however preference is for GWILYM. The selection was second behind Ten Down last time at Lingfield, and is now 1lb better off for that short-head defeat. Whilst he is yet to win on the all-weather, he has run some good races in defeat and has a good draw to work from. Guto looks the pick of Bill Ratcliffe's pair, and he was a good winner at Southwell in November. The break since may have freshened him up and he has claims despite a wide draw. Compton Classic ran a better race last time and is shaping as if a win may not be far away, Cosmic Destiny has been given a break since a Wolverhampton win but has won going this way round before, whilst Drifting gold is a player from his good draw but he has to turn the tables on Ten Down and the selection. A competitive opener, with the vote going to Gwilym.
Cosmic Destiny (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Towards rear, still rear well over 1f out, good headway 1f out, quicken to lead inside final furlong, soon clear readily, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Ryedane (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Incomparable 11-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, soon in touch, ridden 1f out, one pace, 6th of 8, 4l behind River Kirov (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Asian Power (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon not ran on, 9th of 11, 8l behind Billy Red (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Godfrey Street (8-7) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Ten Down 3-1fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon disputed lead, ridden and led over 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, all out, just held on, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Gwilym (9-2) by a shd, 8 ran.
Drifting Gold 8-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, gaining close home, not quite get up, 3rd of 8, hd behind Ten Down (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Gwilym (GER) 8-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, good headway approaching final furlong, strong run inside final furlong, finished fast, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Ten Down (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
What Katie Did (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Kaystar Ridge (8-10) by a shd, 11 ran.
Colorus (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Not much room soon after start, behind, hung left halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 10, 6l behind Calmdownmate (8-13) at Southwell 5f app clm (6) fbs.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind This Ones For Pat (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Compton Classic 13-2 (8-12) Behind, wide straight well over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, closed on winner near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Joss Stick (8-12) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Guto 12-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on to lead close home, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov beating Grand Palace (8-9) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
