slowly into stride, in touch in mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched outside, headway and looked awkward over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, unable to reach leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
made virtually all, ridden and kicked clear over 1f out, ran on well, eased towards finish
disputed lead early, took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway and not clear run over 1f out, never able to challenge
prominent, ridden 2f out, no impression on winner 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
BUAITEOIR has to be given another chance. He lost out in a close finish when his rider dropped his reins at Wolverhampton on Monday and just failed to peg back the winner at Kempton on Wednesday after exaggerated waiting tactics were employed. Paul D'Arcy's gelding can make amends here. Copperwood was headed on the post here last month with four of today's rivals behind and another bold bid is on the cards while Could It Be Magic will have come on for his recent reappearance at Kempton and he too can figure.
Ilie Nastase (FR) 4-1 (9-7) Held up, pushed along and effort over 4f out, no impression over 2f out, went well held 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 14l behind El Dececy (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Syrian 4-1fav (9-6) Slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, 7l behind Blue Moon (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Tiger Dream 16-1 (8-3) Pulled hard, in touch, ridden 2f out, hampered approaching final furlong, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mr Willis (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov '09.
Kilburn 13-2 (9-6) Led and soon clear, ridden and reduced lead over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Blue Moon (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ensnare 25-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear and keen, weaking and in rear when short of room on rail and hampered 5f out, 13th of 14, well behind Spring Secret (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov.
Expensive Problem 12-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never on terms, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Blue Moon (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Charlie Smirke (USA) 12-1 (9-4) In touch in chasing group, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on, one pace, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Blue Moon (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Copperwood 20-1 (8-13) Chased clear leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, soon joined, headed post, 2nd of 11, ns behind Blue Moon (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Could It Be Magic 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on well inside final furong, edged right and chased winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Lisahane Bog (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Buaiteoir (FR) Evensfav (9-7) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in last pair in steadily run race, going well 2f out, effort on outside over 1f out, driven and closed on winner well inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 2nd of 8, nk behind Hip Hip Hooray (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
