tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, headway over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace
behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms
hard driven to lead, set strong pace, headed inside final furlong, no extra
pulled hard in rear, headway and not clear run over 2f out, soon switched left and not clear run over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, all out
prominent, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
BLUE LYRIC has an 100% record at this track and after narrowly missing out under this mark last time he has the verdict in preference to last time out winner Cuthbert and the mildly progressive Egyptologist. Both of the pick's wins at this venue have been over this test when he landed them back to back at the end of last year. He seemed to run up to that form again when denied by less than a length at Wolverhampton last time out and with more scope for improvement he should get back on top. Cuthbert's success last time gave him a record of two wins in his last three efforts. He's up three pounds for his narrow success and he as every chance of going well again. Egyptologist makes his first handicap start after showing improved performances in three maiden starts. He looks to be fairly enough treated off bottom weight and any market signs in his favour should be noted. Highland Quaich won his maiden over course and distance and should be seen in a better light off his revised rating but Blue Lyric looks to have plenty in his favour and is a confident selection.
Craicattack (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Wellmarked (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Khanivorous 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Danger Mulally (8-6) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Blue Lyric 6-5fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 1/2l behind Lisahane Bog (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Itsthursdayalready 4-1 (9-3) Led until over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 8l behind Lisahane Bog (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Cuthbert (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Made all, pushed along 3f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Master Leon (9-2) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Highland Quaich 8-1 (9-2) Raced wide, took keen hold towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Al Khimiya (9-0) at Kempton 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Egyptology (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Led until over 5f out, chased leader, led again briefly over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind Hypnotized (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Nov.
