chased clear leader and clear of rest, closed over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
chased clear leading pair, ridden over 1f out, soon not quicken and no impression
led at strong pace and soon clear, no extra and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final stride
chased clear leading pair, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd final stride, not reached winner
slowly away, outpaced throughout
always off the pace, towards rear
off the pace towards rear, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
held up in touch on outside, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
The evergreen The Tatling has been running well of late but the 13-year-old has gone up another 1lb following his most recent effort at Southwell and he may be too high in the weights now off mark of 81 with preference in a competitive contest for ROCKET ROB, who gets the verdict ahead of Lord of The Reins and Nickel Silver. Bryan Smart has his stable in good form and the five-year-old lost no caste in defeat off the same mark that he races off today when a close third behind Matsunosuke at Wolverhampton recently, form on which he strictly has the beating of Earlsmedic. Absa Lutte has shown improved form of late and was winning her third race from her last four starts when successful here over six furlongs last month but she now has to race off a career high mark of 74 and may struggle to win again. Jim Boyle's Step It Up comes back following an autumnal break and was in good form when last seen in October so he cannot be discounted, especially with the yard among the winners. James Given's Lord of The Reins has been in better heart in recent races over course and distance and is another to consider strongly, although he may be a shade high in the weights and a better bet looks to be Rocket Rob.
Nickel Silver 4-1fav (8-7) Soon led, took keen hold, edged right over 1f out, not quicken and headed final 100n yards, no impression when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Matsunosuke (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Earlsmedic 4-1fav (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced when not clearest of runs over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Matsunosuke (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Glamorous Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 8l behind Matsunosuke (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Rocket Rob (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Excellent Show (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.
The Tatling (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Argentine (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Step It Up (IRE) 7-4fav (8-7) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Royal Intruder (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Lord of The Reins (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (8-6) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Absa Lutte (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders and always going well, challenged on bit 2f out, led over 1f out, soon quickened, idled near finish, always just doing enough, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Resplendent Alpha (9-3) by nk, 11 ran.
