held up in mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, not much room approaching 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon not much room, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders and keen, not much room and switched left over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, smooth headway 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
prominent, ridden entering final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, never dangerous
It's interesting that EGYPTOLOGY's powerful connections are persevering with this so far disappointing gelding and with an encouraging bloodline line or two we give him one more chance to shine in a race that won't take a great deal of winning while we have respect for Chocolate Cookie and Red Yarn. Mark Johnston is in red hot form at the moment and this well bred son of Shamardal might benefit for that. In the past the north's premier flat trainer has been quick to discard disappointing runners so the fact he's kept the faith with this one speaks well and he is slightly down in the weights after his handicap debut last time out. Chocolate Cookie deserved her win last time after a string of near misses and she could be competitively treated on her return into these ranks. Red Yarn wouldn't be winning out of turn after missing out by a neck on her handicap debut and off the same mark is likely to figure strongly. Orsett Lad and Highland Bridge also hold claims on the contest with recent good starts to call on but Egyptology should be capable of better and is given the chance to show it.
Dr Mathias 33-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 27l behind Nafura (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Chocolate Cookie (IRE) 5-1 (7-12) In touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov beating Kirsty's Boy (8-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Red Yarn 5-2fav (9-2) Chased leaders, improved over 2f out, hanging right when bumped well over 1f out, slightly impeded soon after, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, nk behind Volatilis (8-9) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Highland Bridge 14-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jan beating Sunley Spinalonga (7-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Katchmore (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Cuthbert (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (6) in Dec.
Tamtara 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division on outer, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten leaders, 6th of 13, 7l behind Meezaan (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Egyptology (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Prominent, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 12l behind Highland Quaich (9-2) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Pastello 4-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, ridden to challenge over 1f out, edged right and led narrowly inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Miami Gator (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Barastar 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Bubbly Braveheart (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Orsett Lad (USA) 5-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong to chase leading pair, kept on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Kinky Afro (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Azlak (USA) 50-1 (7-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Azizi (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Drubinca 100-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, well beaten final 2f, eased final furlong, 5th of 6, 13l behind Landowner (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep.
The Bay Bandit 25-1 (8-11) Prominent, 3rd approaching straight, soon no extra and weakened, 11th of 14, 11l behind Willyconker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp 50-70 std in Nov.
