held up in rear, ridden, headway on inside to chase leaders 2f out, not quicken final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
held up in touch on outer, ridden, hung left, not look keen over 1f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside, driven over 2f out, soon weakened
reluctant to go to post, refused to race
took keen hold, close up, led over 6f out to over 2f out, soon weakened
led to over 6f out, tracked leader, led again over 2f out, headed 1f out, not quicken
held up in mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway, switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leader to over 6f out, stayed prominent, eased when beaten inside final furlong
in touch until ridden and lost place 4f out
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, tracked leaders, always going well, good headway on inside to chase leader over 1f out, led 1f out, ridden final furlong, stayed on well
slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched to outside over 1f out, driven, stayed on well final furlong, not reached winner
A very tough race for punters to assess and we will give a tentative vote to Mostarsil, Bendarshaan and Principal Witness could be the main dangers. Gary Moore's eight-year-old returned to winning form last time, easily beating Trials n Tribs over the mile and a half trip here. The extra distance will not be a problem and a follow up looks on the cards. Bendarshaan is making his all-weather debut but is a talented enough performer on the turf. If fit following a bit of a holiday he should play his part. Principal Witness disappointed last time at Southwell but had previously gone well at Wolverhampton. He has gone well here in the past and could be worth an each-way flutter. Blackmail and Prime Powered are also worthy of a mention but we will stick with Mostarsil as our idea of the winner.
Dovedon Hero 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Kylkenny (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Duelling Banjos 16-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden 2f out, effort inside final furlong, ran on, 4th of 12, 1/2l behind Night Storm (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Prime Powered (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, 12th of 16, 13l behind Wise Owl (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Sphinx (FR) 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leader for 3f, stayed prominent, effort over 1f out, not quite pace to challenge, kept on, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 15, 2l behind Captain Margaret (7-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Battling Mac (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, not trouble leaders, 9th of 14, 7l behind Willhego (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Isa'af (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Tracked leader after 3f, led 2f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 2l behind Captain Margaret (7-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Swainson (USA) 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders 8f, 10th of 12, 15l behind Night Storm (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Blackmail (USA) 13-2 (8-8) Pulled hard, held up, hampered 6f out, headway over 4f out, outpaced 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Willhego (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Bendarshaan 9-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, no extra final 2f, 7th of 16, 19l behind Treason Trial (8-11) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Mostarsil (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway well over 3f out, driven to lead over 1f out, quickened clear, impressive, won at Lingfield 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Dec beating Trials 'n Tribs (9-0) by 4l, 15 ran.
Eamon An Chnoic (IRE) 12-1 (7-9) Led, ridden entering straight, headed 2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 19, more than 1l behind Golden Cross (9-9) at Curragh 1m 6f hcp 0-90 gs in Oct.
Principal Witness (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Trance (9-10) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Robbie Can Can 11-4fav (9-3) Behind, pushed along over 6f out, headway over 2f out, soon wandered under pressure, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Padre Nostro (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Amir Zaman 15-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Padre Nostro (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
