pulled hard in rear, pushed along on outside 3f out, hung badly right final bend, soon behind
started a little slowly, held up towards rear, closed from over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, ran on, led last stride
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed last stride
steadied start, held up in rear, shaken up over 2f out, switched sharply right final bend, kept on final 100 yards, no impression
chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, unable to challenge
led early, 2nd until over 3f out, hampered entering final furlong, no impression after
soon led, edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
Shouldvebeenaring beat Alpha Capture in a three-runner conditions' race over 6f at Southwell last month. Both have something to prove over this extra furlong and the unbeaten ICONIC MOMENT (NAP) is preferred. The latter defied a penalty at Chelmsford to land a double over today’s trip with plenty in hand and the 2000 Guineas entry can take this step up in class in his stride. Stablemate New Definition won a novices' race here in December though has been beaten at this level in the past as have both Minnetonka and Candle Of Hope. Tenjin has plenty to find on these terms debuting for a new yard.
Alpha Capture (IRE) Evensfav (9-5) Raced keenly tracking leader, pushed along near side rail over 2f out, hung left and ridden soon after, went 2nd again inside final furlong, kept on, always held, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Shouldvebeenaring (9-5) at Southwell 6f stks (3) pol in Jan.
Iconic Moment (IRE) Evensfav (9-11) Handy on inner, going well 2f out, led over 1f out and went clear, ran on well, won at Chelmsford City 7f stks (4) pol in Nov beating American Belle (8-13) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
New Definition Evensfav (9-11) Tracked leader, led entering final furlong, ran on, comfortable, won at Lingfield 7f stks (5) pol in Dec beating Hiatus (9-4) by 4 3/4l, 12 ran.
Shouldvebeenaring 11-8 (9-5) Held up 3rd on inside, headway far side of group over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well, won at Southwell 6f stks (3) pol in Jan beating Alpha Capture (9-5) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Tenjin 6-1 (9-9) Keen, held up, ridden over 1f out, late headway inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Harry Brown (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Candle Of Hope 16-1 (9-2) Off the pace and always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 14 1/2l behind Magical Sunset (9-2) at Newbury 7f lst fll stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Minnetonka (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, chance inside final 2f, soon ridden, weakened towards finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Barefoot Angel (9-2) at Ayr 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
