tracked leader, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in last place, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous
tracked leading pair, ridden and every chance 1f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
keen and close up, checked and switched right over 1f out, strong run to lead towards finish
held up in rear, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, headed towards finish
soon led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Northern Spy looks the one to be on here with Art Man and Mataram also cited as potential challengers. The Simon Dow-trained selection won a mile maiden at Nottingham on debut in October and probably did not handle the soft ground when thrashed on his handicap debut next time. The step up to 10f at Kempton on his latest start almost proved fruitful and his conqueror that day Evident Pride has come out and gone close from a 9lb higher mark since, so the form looks solid and he is taken to score. Art Man comes here seeking a hat-trick after back-to-back c&d successes and he did the job nicely enough last time. A 7lb rise will make things tougher but we still expect him to be heavily involved. Mataram is another c&d scorer and he races from a mark 3lb higher than when winning here just over a year ago. He is also in pretty decent form at present to he is respected. Basra has been knocking on the door and went close from this mark last time while Fusili is 10lb lower than when winning a handicap here a year ago so a return to form couldn't be ruled out. However, Nothern Spy has scope for a fair bit more improvement and is the suggestion here.
Northern Spy (USA) 10-1 (8-11) Steadied start settled in rear, headway on out at 2f out, ran on well to take 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Evident Pride (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Crossbow Creek 50-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 10l behind Buccellati (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct.
Basra (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Soon tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Alfresco (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Fusili (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 12, 2l behind Silver Pivotal (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Mataram (USA) 10-3 (9-2) In touch, raced keenly, led over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, ran on near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Scamperdale (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Art Man 7-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, good headway over 2f out, soon led, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan beating Oakley Heffert (9-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Steadied start raced keenly, held up headway on outer 7f out, pressed leader over 4f out, weakened from 2f out, 6th of 8, 8l behind Evident Pride (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
