steadied start, close up in rear, wide and headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, readily
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, headed towards finish
led, ridden and headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on one pace
raced wide keen, close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
ALEXANDER JAMES bids for a hat-trick having finished well ahead of the re-opposing Headingley when scoring at Wolverhampton. Mick Appleby’s charge looks worth sticking with raised only 3lb. Chance has gone up the same amount for winning over a mile at Kempton in November though has yet to race over this far while Deal A Dollar drops back down in distance looking to end a long losing run. Habit Rouge will be sharper for last week’s comeback and has a shout on last year’s best form.
Chance 8-1 (9-9) Towards rear, effort and headway well over 1f out, pushed along over 1f out, pressed leader final 110 yards, stayed on well to lead close home, just did enough, won at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Nov beating United Front (9-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Deal A Dollar 15-2 (9-10) Soon led, pushed along and headed approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 6 1/2l behind C'Est No Mour (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Habit Rouge 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind King Of The South (9-13) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Alexander James (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec beating Dark Pine (9-9) by 1l, 6 ran.
Headingley (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Midfield, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Alexander James (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.