mid-division, effort over 1f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on well, never reached winner
led until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
mid-division, weakened 2f out
with leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, faded
in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well
reared and unseated rider start
A competitive sprint but WHAILEYY has the best piece of recent form. He bounced back with a win in this grade at Kempton in November and makes more appeal than disappointing stablemate Mezzotint. Swiss Cross finished third to the selection at Kempton before winning but, along with Sulis Minerva, couldn't live with a back to his best Piscean at Wolverhampton last week. The latter is sure to go close and the progressive Irish raider Farmleigh House is another to consider after landing a recent double at Dundalk.
Swiss Cross 11-2 (9-10) Pressed leader, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, faded, 4th of 8, 4l behind Piscean (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Whaileyy (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Led early, tracked leader, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating Iver Bridge Lad (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Fratellino 33-1 (9-4) Raced wide, chased winner, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 4l behind Ballista (9-2) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Farmleigh House (IRE) 6-5fav (9-10) Held up in last, ridden entering straight, progress on outer from 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec beating Knock Stars (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Piscean (USA) 20-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, short of room over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led close home, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec beating Woolfall Sovereign (9-0) by hd, 8 ran.
Mezzotint (IRE) 13-8fav (8-10) Led until over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Piscean (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Forest Edge (IRE) 5-2fav (9-10) Mid-division on outside, lost place over 2f out, soon behind, last of 10, 16l behind Island Legend (9-1) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Sulis Minerva (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) In touch, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, switched right to challenge inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Piscean (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Decent Fella (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, under pressure 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 7l behind Kung Hei Fat Choy (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.